Cellular and Genetic Aspects of Animal Development

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Define how do calvarial derived osteoblasts differ from long bone derived osteoblast and explain how studying the could skull help with the treatment of osteoporosis (CC)
• Understand formation of the vertebrate eye as an example of a developmental induction system (NS)
• Describe the molecular mechanism of fertilisation and the roles of calcium and PLCzeta (SL)
• Using experimental evidence define the role of Runx2/ Cbfa1 in the regulation of cartilage and bone development (CC)
• Discuss long term health implications of early embryonic environment (TPF)
• Demonstrate knowledge of how germ cells become gametes and the relative importance of genetics versus environment on sex determination (KJ)
• Demonstrate knowledge of the molecular events of meiosis , with females as the example, and how the events of fertilisation cause the transition from meiosis into embryo development (KJ)
• Provide examples of the biotechnologies available for the manipulation of mammalian reproduction (MV)
• Outline the mechanisms of left-right patterning (NS)
• Discuss the role of cell-matrix interactions in development, with particular emphasis on the collagen protein family (NS)

The topics covered on this course are aspects of animal development from a cellular and genetic perspective and commonly represent areas of particular interest or research of the staff teaching. In this unit, we will cover the molecular and cellular mechanisms of mammalian reproduction and development using mainly the mouse, and implications for human health. We will also examine the role of different model organisms in understanding the developmental programme. We will investigate mechanisms of left-right asymmetry, the development of the eye and the role of extracellular matrix and cell signalling in development. Lastly, we will consider craniofacial development and discuss how our understanding of early skull development could help in the treatment of bone diseases

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures, coursework exercises with feedback, private study.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Gilbert, Wolpert, Slack. Developmental Biology.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.