Developmental Biology

By attending the course the student will achieve:

Knowledge:

The course provides the student with a detailed and comprehensive general knowledge of developmental biology with particular emphasis on medical implications such as the latest advances within stem cell therapeutics. The course provides knowledge of the most widely used models for developmental biology and the student get practical experience with light microscopy of gametes, invertebrate embryos, as well as sections and whole mount preparations of vertebrate embryos.

Skills:

• Describe and explain principles and model systems in experimental embryology as well as evaluate their usefulness in solving specific problems, for instance based on original research papers.
• Demonstrate insight into methods and models for studying differential gene expression.
• Describe and detail the cellular and molecular mechanisms in cell-cell interaction and signal transduction and integrate these to an overall understanding of embryonic development.
• Describe the basic cellular and molecular prerequisites for fertilization and explain potentials and limits of in vitro fertilization and other manipulations of the fertilization process.
• Describe early embryonic development (e.g. fertilization, cleavage, gastrulation, axis specification) in invertebrates (such as sea urchins), in vertebrates (such as amphibians, birds and mammals), and in insects (Drosophila), and generalize and contrast developmental patterns and –processes in selected model organisms.
• Describe later development and differentiation of ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm and their derivatives. Detail development of limbs, organs (for instance heart and kidneys), blood cells, circulatory system and nervous system.
• Interpret light microscopic samples of germ cells and early developmental stages of selected model organisms.
• Describe primary and secondary sex determination.
• Describe and explain postembryonic development, including breast gland development (mammals), regeneration and aging.
• Define and categorize stem cells, progenitors and differentiated cells and compare their potentials and limits. Integrate this knowledge to an understanding of cloning strategies and a critical evaluation of its application in regenerative biology.
• Demonstrate insight into the medical implications of developmental biology, including genetic aberrations/syndromes, teratogenesis, cancer therapy and regenerative medicine. Based on the acquired skills at a qualified level evaluate and criticize novel achievements within these areas.

Competences:

The student is competent to understand, interpret and integrate the complexity of developmental biology.