66834 - Development Biology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has knowledge on some developmental processes through the study of embryonic development in different model organisms; it also acquires an integrated and historical vision of the experimental approaches that have allowed the development of this discipline and of the contributions that this discipline has made to the study of evolution.

Course contents

History and basic concepts. Gametogenesis: spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Fertilization: the egg-sperm recognition; the prevention of polyspermy; the activation of egg metabolism. Cell-cell communication in development: the gap junctions; cell adhesion molecules ( CAMs, integrins, cadherins); paracrine factors and signal transduction. The specification of embryonic development: differences between mosaic development and regulative development. Strategies of cleavage and gastrulation in Xenopus laevis, chicken, mouse and human. The origin and specification of the germ layers in the treated models. The dorsal-ventral axis formation in Xenopus: the Spemann organizer, the origin of the Nieuwkoop center; the function of beta catenina; molecules involved in the dorsal, intermediate and ventral induction of mesoderm. Differentiation of neural ectoderm.  The anterior-posterior axis formation in Xenopus and the molecules involved. The axes formation in chicken.The formation of extra-embryonic adnexa in amniotes and their significance.

At the end of the course, it will be available an updated and more detailed list of course contents.

Readings/Bibliography

Developmental Biology 5° Ed , Scott F. Gilbert and Michael J.F. Barresi, Zanichelli Ed.

Biologia dello Sviluppo , II° italian edition conducted on the fifth English edition, Lewis Wolpert, Zanichelli Ed.

Teaching methods

The course includes 40 hours (5CFU) of classroom lectures plus 12 hours (1CFU) of lab practical training on cellular differentiation. During frontal lessons and lab experience, interactive critical discussion will be encouraged.

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires the performance of all students of modules 1 and 2 in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio] and participation in module 3 of specific training on safety and health in the places of study. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 can be consulted in the specific section of the degree program website.

 

Assessment methods

The final oral examination consists of two parts: 1) Power Point presentation and critical discussion on a topic, that students choice from recently published papers on developmental biology field. 2) Questions on topics discussed in frontal lectures and during the laboratory training. The final mark, expressed in thirtieths, will be obtained by averaging the two single marks.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations. PDF files of these slides will be available to the students. Lab equipment for practical training.

Office hours

See the website of Maria Gabriella Maurizii

See the website of Pietro Cacialli