Courses in the Committee on Developmental Biology
35400. Advanced Developmental Biology
Ferguson, Malamy
This course provides an overview of the fundamental questions of developmental biology, presenting both the classical embryological experiments that defined these questions, and the modern molecular and genetic experiments that have been employed to try to reach mechanistic answers to these questions. The first portion of the course will focus on the mechanism of embryonic axis formation in a variety of organisms; the second part of the course will explore selected topics in the field.

DB 35500. Developmental Genetics of Model Systems
Ferguson, Du, Greenberg
Lectures and discussions on the use of genetics as a tool to understand basic mechanisms in animal development. The organisms studied include the nematode C. elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

DB 35600. Vertebrate Development
Prince, Millen
Lectures and discussions on early development in Zebrafish, Xenopus, chick, and mouse. Topics will include vertebrate head and trunk organizer, Hox genes, somitogenesis, organogenesis, neural patterning, neural crest development, and stem cells.

DB 35700. Evolution of Development
Schmidt-Ott, Shubin
A seminar on the phenotype; size, heterochrony, allometry, homology, endocrine control, growth rates, patterns, plasticity, non-Weismannian evolution, somatic selection, senescence, evolution of metamery, structuralism, developmental aspects of macroevolution, and similar topics.

DB 35800. Developmental Neurobiology.
Zou, Issa
Topics include neural induction, early patterning of the central nervous system, axonguidance and neuronal migration, the development of brain activity, and the mechanisms of plasticity that fine-tune brain function. Approaches will range from molecular to cellular to systems neurobiology. Focus will be on the vertebrate CNS but attention will be given to important lessons from invertebrate systems.

DB 36100. Plant Development and Molecular Genetics
Greenberg, Ruddat
Genetic approaches to central problems in plant development will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on embryonic pattern formation, meristem structure and function, reproduction, and the role of hormones and environmental signals in development. Students will present and analyze data from the primary literature, and will be responsible for a final paper.

MGCB 31000. Fundamentals in Molecular Biology
Storb, Staley
The course covers nucleic acid structure and DNA topology, recombinant DNA technology, DNA replication, DNA damage, mutagenesis and repair, transposons and site-specific recombination, prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription and its regulation, RNA structure, splicing and catalytic RNAs and protein synthesis.

MGCB 31200. Molecular Biology I: DNA Replication and Transcription
Rothman-Denes
Nucleic acid structure; mechanisms of transcription, replication, and recombination and their regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

MGCB 31300. Molecular Biology II: Transcriptional and Post-transcriptional Regulation
Singh, Staley
Analysis of regulatory pathways and mechanisms involved in the control of eukaryotic gene activity.

MGCB 31400. General Principles of Genetic Analysis
Preuss, Bishop, Lahn
Coverage of the fundamental tools of genetic analysis as used to study biological phenomena. Topics include genetic exchange in prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and their viruses and plasmids; principles of transformation and analysis of gene function.

MGCB 31500. Genetic Mechanisms
Esposito, Bishop
Advanced coverage of genetic mechanisms, including genetic analysis of molecular mechanisms in meiosis and mitosis; recombination mechanisms; and genetics of transposons.

MGCB 31600. Cell Biology
Turkewitz, Glick
Topics include the fundamentals of protein synthesis, the mechanism of protein targeting to transport across membranes, the structure and function of mitochondria and chloroplasts, transport in the secretory pathway, biogenesis of lysosomes, the dynamics of the cellular cytoskeleton, and signal transduction mechanisms.

MGCB 31700. Advanced Cell Biology
Lamppa
Topics covered include chromatin structure and its role in transcription, communication between nucleus and cytoplasm, translational control, protein folding, assembly and degradation, molecular chaperones, mitochondria and apoptosis, elements of signal transduction, homeostasis, growth control and the cell cycle.
 

This list was last revised on 9/2/2003.