The course in Developmental Biology includes:
•the concept of differentiation;
•the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the formation of organs and tissues;
•an illustration of the various stages that germ cells cross to differentiate into highly specialized cells;
• the development of the new organism that is generated as a result of fertilization, during the main embryonic events.
Gilbert S.F. – Biologia dello sviluppo - Zanichelli
Werner AM. Biologia dello sviluppo, Zanichelli,
Andreucci P, Carnevali O. Biologia dello sviluppo. Mac Graw Hill
Menegola E, Bonfanti P, Colombo A, Del Giacco L. Manuale di Biologia dello sviluppo animale. Processi fasi, modelli e nuove frontiere. Edises
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course the student must be able to describe the ways in which an organism develops, to interpret the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms that lead to the development of the main animal models, and to correlate the organizational plan of the main body structures to adaptive and evolutionary aspects.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of comparative anatomy, biochemistry, cytology and histology, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics are required.
Teaching Methods
The course includes lectures. During class hours the treatment of the topics is carried out with the help of presentations projected in the classroom.
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
• Contents of developmental Biology;
• model organisms;
• development events;
• gametogenesis in animal species including humans;
• fertilization in animal species including humans;
• biological processes involved in embryonic development;
• genetic and epigenetic basis of development
• Cellular proliferation
• Cell Death
• Induction
• Segmentation
• I week of development
• Gastrulation
• Morphogenesis
• Examples of derivatives of embryonic leaflets
• Relationship between environment-development and evolution