Developmental biology can be defined as the study of the ways in which a single cell develops into a complex, three-dimensional multicellular organism. There has been immense progress in the field within the past decade. Developmental biology has evolved from a “holistic,” more or less descriptive science, to a molecular science that combines holistic (organismal) and reductionist (cell/molecular) approaches. In essence, virtually every aspect and technique of modern-day biology can be applied to developmental research. Indeed, top journals feature an increasing number of research papers that detail multidisciplinary approaches meant to solve particular developmental problems. Both forward and reverse genetics (i.e. describing, cloning, and sequencing a gene, as well as studying its function in model systems or the embryo itself), then, can be found within a single paper.

This course concentrates on state-of-the-art developmental research, emphasizing the experimental, rather than the theoretical. General discussions on selected chapters of the textbook are followed by readings and discussions of primary research papers.

 

Format
Class meets twice a week, focusing on general principles taken from Developmental Biology, and on specialised topics featured in selected papers. Students present these papers to the class, emphasizing why a particular experimental approach was taken and whether it has proven successful. Students’ knowledge is tested in written exams. 

Students choose from a number of state-of-the-art reviews from specialised journals such as Current Topics in Developmental Biology. After studying a particular review and gathering additional information from the reference list and internet, they prepare a poster for class presentation.

In the last part of the course, students write a research proposal on a subject of their choice that they must defend against criticism generated during a peer-review symposium. The emphasis here will be less on how realistic the project is in terms of availability of funds or infrastructure, and more on the scientific insight with which the students have approached their particular subject.