Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Developmental Biology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be resolved before or after class. You can also contact the teacher by email: ltaberner@uic.es
Introduction
In this subject, the molecular basis of embryonic development of vertebrate organisms will be studied. The development processes of different species of animals will be analysed in order to familiarise the student with the experimental models and current theories on the generation of embryonic axes, space-time patterns, induction, neurogenesis and organogenesis, as well as with the biology of stem cells and tissue regeneration.
Pre-course requirements
The students should have a basic knowledge of biochemistry, genetics, cell biology and molecular biology.
Objectives
- To know the basic processes of embryonic development of the most well-known animal models.
- To understand the basic processes of fertilisation, segmentation and gastrulation in vertebrate organisms.
- To understand the establishment of the body axes in the main model organisms.
- To understand the mechanisms of nervous system development: neural induction, the generation of neurons and the establishment of synaptic connections.
- To understand the basic elements of organ development.
- To understand the relationship between developmental biology and stem cells, cancer and regeneration processes.
- To understand the usefulness of knowledge of developmental biology in improving human health.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and it tends to be found at a level that, although it is based on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CE01 - To have a comprehensive overview of the structure and function of the cell, as well as intra and extracellular communication and its regulation through the main routes of cell signalling, in developing adult individuals.
- CG01 - To be aware of basic biological concepts and language specific to biomedical sciences and health status.
- CG11 - To be aware of basic concepts from different fields connected to biomedical sciences.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student will:
- Understand the embryonic development and organogenesis of the apparatus and systems of vertebrate organisms.
Syllabus
Unit 1. Introduction to Developmental Biology. Developmental Biology: the convergence between experimental embryology and developmental genetics.
Unit 2. Key concepts and fertilisation. Basic processes: growth, pattern formation and morphogenesis. Developmental genes. Basic patterns of vertebrate development. Fertilisation, oogenesis and spermatogenesis
Unit 3. Drosophila I and II axial specification. Antero-posterior axis. « Maternal effect », protein gradients, positional information, mutations. Bicoid case. Dorsoventral polarity: dorsal gene and dorsal mutation. Interaction follicular cells and oocyte. Dpp signal and dorsoventral patterning. Segmentation: gap and pair-rule. Parasegments Gene segment polarity. Homeotic genes: diversification and identity of the segments. The combinatorial language.
Unit 4. Axial specification Xenopus, chicken and zebrafish. Xenopus laevis development. Fertilisation and cortical rotation. Stages. Segmentation, blastula and gastrulation. Fate map blastula Xenopus. The organiser of Spemann. Patterning of the ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. The development of chicken and zebrafish. Stages. Segmentation, blastula and gastrulation. The node and the primitive line. EM and ME transitions. Epibolia. The fate map of the chicken and zebrafish blastula.
Unit 5. Mammalian development: the mouse and human embryo. Embryonic stages and development time. Segmentation and blastula: bilaminar embryo. Destination map (fate map) of the mouse blastula. The development of the human embryo. Segmentation and blastula: trilaminar embryo. Gastrulation: the node and the primitive line. Axial specification mammals. Homologues of the Spemann organiser in the amniots. Antero-posterior axis. Left-right axis. The Node.
Unit 6. Neurogenesis I and II. Neural Induction Neurulation mechanisms: the neural plaque. Antero-posterior and dorsoventral specification of the nervous tube. Hox vertebrate genes. The neural tube, formation of the brain and cerebral vesicles. Cell types and layers of the brain. Neural specification and innervation. Proneural genes of vertebrates. Neural identity specification.
Unit 7. Neurogenesis III, Neural Crest and Placodas. Selection of innervation routes and neuronal targets. Neurotrophic factors. Synaptic plasticity. Development according to activity. Neural crest derivatives, migration routes. Pluripotence, restriction and differentiation. Sensory placodas.
Unit 8. Organogenesis I: The somites. Somite structure and development. The clock and wavefront model of somite formation. Notocorda and paraxial mesoderm. Differentiation and regionalisation of somites: dermamiotome and sclerotome. The musculoskeletal system. Myogenesis and the MyoD family. Osteogenesis Organogenesis II: limb development. Determination of the morphogenic field of the extremities. The apical crest. Next-distal axis generation: Retinoic acid, FGFs and Hox genes. Antero-posterior axis: ZPA and Shh. Dorsoventral axis: Wnt.
Unit 9. Stem cells and regeneration. Definition stem cells. Pluripotence and differentiation. Symmetric and asymmetric division. Stem cells of cancer. Balance proliferation and differentiation. Regeneration and reprogramming, iPSCs.
Unit 10. Evo-Devo. Evolutionary Developmental Biology. Bridging the gap between developmental Biology, Evolution, and Ecology. Morphological variation, enhancers flexibility and protein-encoding genes.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Master classes: 50-minute presentation on a theoretical topic by the teacher.
Clinical cases or case methods (CM): Presentation of a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the questions posed in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher takes an active part and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
Virtual education (VE): Online material that the student can access from any computer, at any time, that will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in first call:
Resolution of case methods: 10%
Final exam: 90%
2) Students in second or subsequent call:
Extraordinary exam: 100%
General points to consider about the assessment system:
1) In the final exam, a minimum mark of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to average the marks of continuous assessment (case methods and attitude).
2) The exams will be of the test type with 4 response options, counting +1 for the successes and -0.2 for the errors and there will also be test questions.
3) Up to 10% of the exam questions could be on concepts that do not appear in the presentations but have been explained in class or are present in the recommended bibliography, as well as in discussed articles, press, or recommended online material.
4) Participation in class involves the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of pertinent issues that help to improve the quality of the session whether it is a master class or case methods.
5) Class attendance:
- Regular attendance at theory classes and case methods is recommended.
- Attendance at the master classes is not obligatory but attendees will have to be governed by the rules laid down by the professors. Students are encouraged to attend classes or, otherwise, it is understood that they will prepare the class on their own in order to be able to follow the methods of the case.
- Attendance at case methods is recommended. In order to be evaluated for this part of the subject, it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 4 sessions (of the 5) and carry out the activities proposed in the session
6) The improper use of electronic devices such as mobiles, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. The recording and dissemination of either students or teachers during the different lessons is regarded as improper use, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
GILBERT SCOTT, F. Developmental Biology. 8th-10th eds. Sinauer Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates, [www.devbio.com].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9983/?term=GILBERT%5BAll%20Fields%5D
WOLPERT, Lewis. Principles of development. 3rd-5th editions Oxford: Oxford University Press / Current Biology Ltd.
ALBERTS et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell 4th. ed., ch. 21. Garland Science. Companion website:
LANGMAN'S. Medical Embryology, 9th Ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ed., 2004. Embriología médica. Barcelona: Panamericana
Evaluation period
- E1 14/01/2025 A16 16:00h
- R1 28/01/2025 11:00h
- E2 18/06/2025 A09 16:00h