SC/BIOL 4061,SC/BCHM 4061 Molecular and Cellular Principles of Animal Development Winter term, OUTLINE
Course Director: John C. McDermott PhD
Office : 427b Life Sciences Building
Office tel extension: 30344
Email address: jmcderm@yorku.ca
Web site: www.yorku.ca/jmcderm/
Topic outline
1) Introduction to Molecular Analysis of Development -Descriptive embryology -Genetics and molecular biology
2) Programs and Regulatory Elements in DNA
3) Transcriptional Circuits- epigenetic regulation of gene expression- differential gene expression
4) Gastrulation and early development- axis specification and formation
5) Features of Major Model Organisms- Mouse, Chick, Drosophila
6) Techniques for the study of Mouse Development: gene targeting/editing technology
7) Receptors, Ligands
8) Cell-cell communication, Signaling Networks, Induction and Competence
9) Molecular Co-ordination of Cell Division and Differentiation (Myogenesis)
10) Focus on Paraxial Mesoderm, Somitogenesis and Patterning
11) Cell Death in Development
12) Lineage Generation – Embryonic and Adult Stem cell properties and lineage commitment
13) Cell Type Specification, Induction of pluripotency in stem cells (iPS) and cell fate programming
14) Patterning in 1 and 2 Dimensions
15) Molecular and cellular basis of 3D Patterning- Heart development
16) Postembryonic development: Regeneration and Aging
17) Developmental mechanisms of evolutionary conservation and change
Evaluation
1 Test (prior to Reading week -date: Tues 11th Feb) 30%
(Policy for missed midterm- mark is allocated to Final Exam)
1 Test (Final in exam period date tba) 40%
Remaining evaluation to be determined 30%
Required Course Text: (13 th edition available in York bookstore)
Developmental Biology
Companion web site: www.devbio.com
Scott F.Gilbert and Michael J.F. Barresi