Molecular Biology of Development

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Discuss mechanisms and the relationship between signaling and gene expression.
2. Discuss the regulation of gene expression in the context of its impact on specific developmental examples.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the experimental basis for our current knowledge of the molecular biology of development.
4. Supplement and integrate primary sources with the taught material.

During development signals, and the regulation of differential gene expression, work together to build a complex organism from a single cell. The advent of molecular cell biology and genetics has enabled us to understand this process at the most fundamental of levels. In this module we will be examining some of the latest research on molecular development and revealing that the many of the mechanisms are used and re-used time and again in different systems and across taxa.

This module focuses on the development of multicellular organisms and the roles of signaling and gene expression in these processes. In all cases we will be looking to draw parallels across systems and taxa.
We begin with a brief section that introduces (or re-introduces for some) the basic developmental of the organisms which will be used as exemplars. We will then go on in detail to examine the molecular biology of specific developmental processes and stages. In each case the signaling mechanisms employed, and the information they carry, will be discussed in the context of changes in cell fate as determined by the differential expression of key genes. The molecular biology of errors in development will also be examined.
The organisms used as models in the module will be chosen to represent models as well as those in which recent studies have made significant contributions to our understanding. Throughout the module there will be great emphasis on the use of recent primary literature to allow you to directly engage with the data underpinning the ideas.

As well as encountering a wealth of experimental data in the lectures, you will also have the opportunity of analyzing relevant data yourselves and developing skills in presenting and discussing the results to a professional level.

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 6