Key Concepts in Developmental Biology

  • Developmental evolution (evo-devo) examines the evolution of form in organisms.

  • Understanding developmental biology is key for biomedical applications and other fields.

  • Regular weekly lectures will be conducted; attendance will be checked.

  • Core textbooks include:

    • "Principles of Development" by Volper, Tico, Martinez Arias, et al.
    • "Developmental Biology" by Dorexin and Gilbert.

  • Early embryonic development can be observed in various organisms, like crustaceans, showcasing organized cell structures and nuclei representation.

  • Cellular complexity in embryos relates to genetic information and biochemical properties of cells, guiding proper organism development.

  • Comparison of DNA among different species reveals conserved genetic processes, which aids in understanding development.

  • Example of the KIT gene shows conservation of gene expression patterns across species such as humans and mice.

  • Mechanisms of development are highly conserved, allowing insights from one species to inform others.

  • Common model organisms studied include:

    • Mouse
    • Chick
    • Frog (Xenopus)
    • Zebrafish
    • Fruit Fly (Drosophila)
    • C. Elegans (roundworm)
    • Sea Urchins