BIO 421 Developmental Biology

An introduction to developmental biology that covers the processes by which a fertilized egg becomes an independently functional organism. Basic principles including but not limited to regulation of gene expression, cellular differentiation, and positional patterning are introduced. The specific development of five model organisms (Drosophila, Xenopus, zebra fish, chicken, and mouse) will be discussed. An example of organogenesis, vertebrate limb development, will also be addressed. When applicable, aspects of human development will be discussed.