Bisc 528 Principles of Developmental Biology Spring 2007
Course hours: Lecture: Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Lab: Wednesday 1:00 –2:50 PM
Instructor: Dr. Bradley W. Jones, 122 Shoemaker Hall
Phone: 915-1700. E-mail: jonesbw@olemiss.edu
Office Hours: Monday 9:30-12:00 AM; Tuesday 1:00-3:00 PM; or by appointment
Course Description: We will discuss the development of animals, with particular emphasis on the molecular
genetic basis of developmental events from embryo to adult. Fundamental questions, concepts and
methodologies of modern inquiry into the genetic and cellular mechanisms of developmental biology will be
explored. Topics include the formation of germ cells, embryonic axis determination and the establishment of
cellular asymmetry, cell specification through cell-cell interaction and region-specific gene expression,
morphogenesis, and organogenesis in different species. Our central approach to development is that it can be
best understood by understanding how genes control cell behavior. We will focus on model organisms and
systems that best illuminate common principles.
Learning objectives: After completing this course a student should have an understanding of the key concepts
that guide inquiry into developmental biology and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of
multicellular organisms.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites: BISC 440 or permission of lecturer (a basic understanding of cell biology and molecular
genetics will be assumed).
Text: Wolpert, L., Lawrence, P., Jessell, T., Meyerowitz, E., Robertson, E., and Smith, J. Principles of
Development, Third Edition. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2007.
Supplemental readings will be assigned to complement the materials in the textbook.
Format: The course will consist of two lectures and one laboratory period per week. Laboratories will consist
of experimental exercises looking at development in model organisms using molecular genetic and microscopy
techniques, as well as readings and discussions of primary experimental literature. Included in the laboratory
will be a short oral presentation; students will present a scientific research paper using Powerpoint or overheads.
Undergraduate presentations will be in groups of 2-3 students. Graduate students will give individual
presentations.
Class Policy: Attendance is required. Do not miss lecture. Do not miss labs. Attendance and participation
in the lab is mandatory. Missed labs cannot be made up and will result in a score of 0 for that week’s
assignment. Late lab assignments (reports, write-ups) will be granted half credit only.
Grades: There will be three lecture exams and a final cumulative exam. The final exam will count for twice as
much as each lecture exam. Exams will account for 70% of the course grade. Laboratory participation, paper
discussions, lab reports and oral presentation will account for 30% of the grade.
Grading Scale: A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: 59 or below
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate instructional, and/or student
needs.
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Lecture outline:
Date
Tu 1/16
Topic
Organization and Introduction
Chapter
Th 1/18
Introduction to Developmental Biology
1
 History and basic concepts
_____________________________________________________________________________
T 1/23
Introduction to Developmental Biology
1
 basic concepts (continued)
Th 1/25
Drosophila Development
2
 Drosophila life cycle/development
 Setting up the body axes
______________________________________________________________________________
T 1/30
Drosophila Development
2
 Segmentation
Th 2/1
Drosophila Development
2
 Homeotic genes
______________________________________________________________________________
T 2/6
EXAM #1
Th 2/8
Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan
3
 Vertebrate life cycles and development
______________________________________________________________________________
T 2/13
Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan
3
 Setting up the body axes
Th 2/15
Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan
3
 The origin and specification of germ layer
______________________________________________________________________________
T 2/20
Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan
4
 Somite formation and patterning
Th 2/22
Patterning the Vertebrate Body Plan
4
 The role of the organizer and neural induction
______________________________________________________________________________
T 2/27
Morphogenesis
7
 Cell adhesion
 Cleavage and formation of the blastula
 Gastrulation
Th 3/1
Morphogenesis
7
 Neural tube formation
 Cell migration
______________________________________________________________________________
T 3/6
EXAM #2
Th 3/8
Cell Differentiation
8
 Control of gene expression
______________________________________________________________________________
SPRING BREAK
3/12 – 3/16
2
______________________________________________________________________________
Date
T 3/20
Topic
Chapter
Cell Differentiation
8
 Models of cell differentiation
 The plasticity of gene expression
Th 3/22
Organogenesis
9
 Vertebrate limb
______________________________________________________________________________
T 3/27
Organogenesis
9
 Insect imaginal discs
Th 3/29
Development of the Nervous System
10
 Cell fate specification in nervous system
______________________________________________________________________________
T 4/3
Development of the Nervous System
10
 Axon guidance
 Neuronal survival and synapse formation
Th 4/5
Germ Cells and Sex
11
 Germ cells and fertilization
______________________________________________________________________________
T 4/10
EXAM #3
Th 4/12
Germ Cells and Sex
11
 Determination of sexual phenotype
______________________________________________________________________________
T 4/17
Post-embryonic Development
12
 Growth
Th 4/19
Post-embryonic Development
12
 Molting and metamorphosis
 Aging and senescence
______________________________________________________________________________
T 4/24
Regeneration
13
Th 4/26
Evolution and Development
14
______________________________________________________________________________
T 5/1
Oral Presentations
Th 5/3
Oral Presentations
______________________________________________________________________________
Th 5/ 10
FINAL EXAM 8:00 AM
Final exam schedule: Thursday, May 10 8:00 AM
University rules allow a student to change the time of a final exam if that student has three tests on one day.
The regulations read: “Any student having three or more examinations scheduled for the same day will arrange
with the instructor to take the 12:00 noon examination or the 7:30 p.m. examination on some other mutually
satisfactory date.”
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Make up exams: Students can make up exams immediately after the final exam if they have documentation
regarding their absence (i.e. doctor’s note, court date, death certificate).
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