Class Developmental Biology

Developmental biology studies embryonic development, the growth of a multicellular organism from the junction of two special cells: spermtozoid and oocyte, until the adulthood. In this UC we focus on the embryonic development. The UC is essential for this study cycle because it allows the understanding and application of concepts learnt in cell and molecular biology, to the formation of a multicellular organism.

Teorical component:

1. History, concepts and animal models in DB
2. First Embryonic Stages: Fertilazation, Cleavage, Gastrulation
3. Organization of tissues in vertebrates: ectoderm (nervous system, epidermis, neural crest derivatives); mesoderm (formation and derivatives of somites, circulation system); endoderm (digestive e respiratory systems, farhyngeal arches derivatives)
4. Specification of the axis anterior/posterior in Drosophila melanogaster
5. Development of the tetrapod limb (limb bud and specificities)
6. Sex determination in mammals (primary and secondary; differentiation and formation of gonads)

Practical component:

1. Chicken: unfertilized egg structures; observation and collection of chicken embryo at different developmental stages
2. Immunostaining Technique in embryos of chiken and mouse models
3. Poster/Oral communications presentation of several animal models in DB and/or reports and results discussion

The curricular unit has two components: Lectures (50%) and Practical classes (50%). Lectures are given using audiovisual media to support what is spoken in class. When available short videos are shown to illustrate early cellular events of development. This component evaluation consists of the following: two theorical-exams (50%+50%). Practical classes are taken in a laboratory. Fertilized chicken eggs are used as a model of developmental biology. Embryos are collected at different stages of development, used in immonofluorescence, with fluorescent markers, results are observed in a fluorescent light microscope. The evaluation of this component consists of: labbook evaluation (45%), presentations and discussion of posters of related themes (45%) and participation (10%).

• Wolpert L, Tickle C, Arias AM. Principles of Development, 5 Edition, Oxford th Univ. Press. 2015 ISBN: 978-0-19-870988-6
• Bellairs R, Osmond M. Atlas of Chick development, 3 rd Edition, Academic Press. 2014 ISBN: 978-0-12-384951-9