66834 - Development Biology

Academic Year 2011/2012

  • Docente: Maria Gabriella Maurizii
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: BIO/06
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Biodiversity and Evolution (cod. 8419)

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide knowledge concerning animal development by discussing different invertebrates and vertebrates model systems.

Course contents

History and basic concepts. Gametogenesis: spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Fertilization: the egg-sperm recognition; the prevention of polyspermy; the activation of egg metabolism. Strategies of cleavage and gastrulation in different models such as sea urchin and Drosophila melanogaster as examples of invertebrates development and in Xenopus laevis, zebra fish, chicken and mouse, as examples of vertebrates development. The specification of embryo development: mosaic development and regulative development. The  axis formation;  the origin and specification of the germ layers. Axis formation in Amphibians: the Spemann organizer, the origin of the Nieuwkoop center; the mesoderm induction and patternig.  Homeotic genes in the vertebrates development, the specification of somitic mesoderm.  Development of neural tube, of  neural crest  cells  and their migration; formation of vertebrates limb. Post-embryonic development: metamorphosis and regeneration. Axis specification in Drosophila, segments formation (zygotic genes). Segments specification (homeotic genes).

Readings/Bibliography

Biologia dello Sviluppo , Lewis Wolpert, Zanichelli Ed.

 

Developmental Biology 6° Ed , Scott F. Gilbert, Sinauer Associates Inc - Sunderland Mass

Teaching methods

Classroom lessons

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

Power point presentations

Office hours

See the website of Maria Gabriella Maurizii