Developmental Biology

About this programme

You will learn how a single cell can generate an organism with hundreds of different cell types in this course. As the fertilized egg divides and generates multiple cells, the embryo becomes patterned through differential gene expression. As stem cells differentiate into specilazed cell types, functional tissues and organs form. The role of cell-cell signaling in these processes will be emphasized. We will discuss how the embryo takes on its three-dimensional form in a process called morphogenesis. You will also learn how evolution has influenced development, and how embryo devlopment has shaped evolution. A number of different model organisms, including fruit flies (Drosophila), frogs (Xenopus), mouse and plants (Arabidopsis) will illustrate the concepts and principles discussed in the course. The course is taught on campus where lectures, lab practicals and other teaching activities take place. In the first week we introduce basic concepts, the second week focuses on patterning the Drosophila embryo, and this is followed by a discussion of vertebrates and plants. Morphogenesis, stem cells and organogenesis, development of the nervous system and post-embryonic development is covered next. In the final week, the link between development and evolution is discussed. There are on campus activities virtually everyday during the course, but also time for self-studies. Learning opportunities will be provided by lectures, student assignments, group activities, computer and laboratory exercises, as well as by formative assessments (duggor and lab reports).