Developmental Biology
Code
10771
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
3.0
Teacher in charge
José Paulo Nunes de Sousa Sampaio, Rita Leonor Alvares Cabral Figueiredo Fior Sousa Soares
Weekly hours
4
Total hours
35
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
This course will provide a conceptual framework on the way of “thinking” in Developmental Biology, how it integrates all areas of Biology from the molecular to the cellular and organism level.
It is expected that on completion of the module students will be able to:
- Interpret experiments and put forward questions from the molecule to the cell/organism level
- Acquire basic concepts in Developmental biology, pluripotency, specification, commitment, induction, inhibition and differentiation.
- Identify the basic signaling pathways, their design, receptors, ligands and downstream targets
- Identify the stages of embryonic development
- Know the molecular mechanisms that build the vertebrate embryonic body plan, from axis specification, gastrulation, germ layer formation and the HOX code.
- Explain illustrating principles of cellular differentiation: neurogenesis and somitogenesis
- Identify major techniques and animal models used in Developmental Biology
Integrate Developmental Biology in Biomedicine in themes like cancer, stem cell biology and regeneration.
Subject matter
1. Introduction to Developmental Biology
2. Signalling pathways in development - the basic toolkit of the cell
3. The building of the vertebrate embryonic body plan, from axis specification, gastrulation, germ layer formation and the HOX code.
4. Neurogenesis
5. Somitogenesis
6. Regeneration
7. Cancer and Development
Bibliography
L. Wolpert, R. Beddington, J. Brockes, T. Jessell, P. Lawrence, E. Meyerowitz. Principles of Development. Current Biology Ltd., London.
S. F. Gilbert. Developmental Biology, 7th edition, Sinauer Associates Inc.
Alberts, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts Walter, Molecular Biology of THE CELL, 5th edition, Garland Science
Teaching method
Lectures will be based on textbook material and selected papers/reviews from the current literature. The classes will be presented via Data show but will be mostly based in the presentation of historical or crucial experiments that illustrate the concepts and contents of the theoretical program.
The theoretical course is evaluated by 2 written tests during the semester.
Evaluation method
The theoretical course is evaluated by 2 written tests during the semester, the final grade will be the result of the average of th 2 tests.
Final exam is 100%.