BIOL 4440 - Genes and Development

Prerequisites: BIOL 3306, BIOL 3311. How does a single cell, the fertilized egg, give rise to the incredible diversity of animal forms observed in nature? This is the central question that developmental biology aims to answer. In this course, we will examine how genes and environment direct the developmental processes that give rise to distinct cell types, tissues, organs, and overall form. Topics include gene regulatory networks, cell signaling pathways, stem cell biology, animal evolutionary history, and the role of developmental genetics in human disorders/disease. This course will also explore the cellular and molecular techniques that are used to understand mechanisms of development, including the use of animal model systems and gene editing technologies. 3 credits.