Developmental Biology

Catalog description

The course will cover fundamental principles of developmental biology in animals. This topic is one of the most important in biology and medicine because it links evolution, genetics, cell biology, biophysics and disease. The aim of the course is to understand how genetic and epigenetic processes regulate the formation of an animal during embryogenesis. The first part will cover cellular differentiation and diversification, intercellular signaling, cell adhesion and movement, the role of mechanical forces in shaping tissues and organs. This part will also briefly touch upon concepts of cellular pluri- and multi-potency. The second part of the course will mainly cover advanced topics with a focus on gastrulation, organogenesis, growth control, organ homeostasis and regeneration Evo-Devo, and inborn errors of development that lead to disease in humans. Every part will be illustrated with examples from model and non-model organisms, review some early key discoveries in the field and examine the latest publications that have advanced the understanding of embryogenesis through technological innovation, including microscopy, transcriptomics, genome engineering, organoids, and machine learning.