Developmental Biology Interest Group: Courses
The Molecular Biology and Neuroscience Programs offer a wide range of course work that provides a strong foundation in scientific disciplines that are critical components of modern biomedical research. Below is a partial listing of graduate-level courses that are of special interest to developmental biologists.
Genetics and Genome
This course covers the basic principles of genetics in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and the basic mechanisms of genome structure and replication. Mechanisms governing the transmission of genetic information are covered in bacteria, fungi, flies, worms, and vertebrates, including mutagenesis, transposons, suppression, epistasis, recombidnation, mosaics, gene knockouts, and two hybrid analysis. The genomes section of the course covers the organization of genes on chromosomes, chromatin structure, DNA replication and repair, gene silencing, chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and genome evolution. (3 credit hours; 1 semester)
Gene Expression
This course covers both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene regulation. The transcriptional regulation section of the course covers basic mechanisms of gene activation and repression, chromatin remodeling machines, regulation of transcription activation by signal transduction cascades. The post-transcriptional section covers mechanisms regulating RNA processing (splicing, editing, and transport), translation and mRNA stability. Required core course for the Molecular Biology Program and an elective for students in the Biological Chemistry Program. (1.5 credit hour; 1/2 semester)
Concepts In Developmental Biology
This course covers topics in developmental biology in a variety of organisms. A selected series of subjects are discussed, including models of patterning, long range and short range patterning signals, mosaic mode of development, specification of body axes, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, organogenesis, and evolution and development. This course consists of two lecture classes per week followed by a discussion session based on assigned readings from the primary literature.
Elective Courses
Each year, members of the Developmental Biology Interest Group offer at least one, and usually several, advanced half semester elective courses for students in the Graduate Programs. Recent courses have included: Concepts in Developmental Genetics, Signal Transduction, Advanced Immunology, Developmental Neurobiology, and Evolution.
Seminar Courses
The Developmental Biology Interest Group offers one or two seminar courses each semester. Recent examples include: Cytoskeletal Architecture and Function, Morphogenesis, Circadian Rhythm Biology, Cell Fate in the Early Vertebrate Embryo, Molecular Mechanisms of Cellular Suicide, and Stem Cells in Cancer and Tissue Repair.
