Teaching

Developmental biology deals with the mechanisms that lead to the formation of complex organisms. In recent years it has become clear that different development processes can be traced back to the same basic concepts. In this lecture, these concepts are introduced and illustrated with examples from invertebrates, vertebrates and plants.

In this three weeks course we offer an introduction into common Molecular Biology methods.

Microscopy is widely used in Cell and Developmental Biology. Progress in technology and biology keeps widening its scope. Beyond introductory theory, the course emphasizes practical knowledge in modern methods (wide field and confocal light microscopy, immunofluorescence, in vivo imaging, image analysis, some electron microscopy). Practical work will be done in small, individually guided teams.

Key concepts and methods in genetics will be taught. You will conduct genetic and molecular studies in model systems and analyse data using bioinformatic tools. A major part of the course consists of projects conducted by groups of 3 students under the supervision of an experienced tutor.

The lecture will cover molecular and cellular processes underlying the development of the nervous system. After an introduction to structure and function of the nervous system, we will discuss neurogenesis, cell death, cell migration and differentiation, axon guidance and synapse formation. The importance of these processes in the context of developmental diseases will be discussed.

This course focuses on the control of fundamental cellular processes during animal development. The topics to be discussed include the regulation of cell division and cell growth, the establishment and maintenance of cellular polarity, as well as various cellular processes occurring during organ morphogenesis. The relevance of these processes to the origin of human diseases will be discussed. Participants will read selected research articles, answer questions to each article and participate in the journal clubs.

This lecture focuses on the concepts of modern genetics and genomics. The topics include principles of classical and molecular genetics, analysis of developmental processes, gene mapping, reverse genetics, epigenetics and RNA interference. This module is required for participants of the experimental block course BIO 323, but it addresses also those students who wish to take the lecture without attending the experimental block course.