Developmental biology

This compulsory S6 course explores the fundamental processes of embryonic development.

All the major stages of embryogenesis will be covered, such as establishment of axes, gastrulation, neurulation, organogenesis, as well as the basic concepts: induction, determination, differentiation, morphogenesis, etc...

The course will emphasize a molecular and cellular interpretation of developmental processes and the importance of an evolutionary approach to embryogenesis. 

The course will therefore systematically make links between its different disciplines, as well as with the material taught in the genetics courses.

The lectures will present the main principles focusing on the two best understood models of development in vertebrates (amphibians) and invertebrates (flies), including a historical aspect, while the tutorials will be devoted to the evolutionary aspect (comparison of different developmental modes and understanding the logic of evolutionary constraints), as well as to the experimental approaches of modern molecular and cellular developmental biology.

- Knowledge:

• Molecular Biology:

- Apply the concepts of regulation of genetic programs in the context of physiological processes

• Cell Biology:

-Understand and assimilate the major concepts of pathway function

-Understand the impact of an interaction between a ligand and its receptor (conformation change, activation, etc...)

-Know the major signaling pathways

-Understand how we can analyze the functioning of certain signaling mechanisms, in particular through western blot and immunofluorescence approaches

-Know-how :

• Molecular Biology:

- Understand the use of molecular biology and genetic techniques for the concrete study of biological systems

• Cell biology: Be able to read and interpret results obtained by experimental approaches of western blots and immunofluorescence.

-Know how to be :

• Understand the different concepts presented and use them to be able to propose hypotheses on the functioning of molecular and cellular processes
• To be able to make the link between the different molecular mechanisms presented
• Communicate with teachers and other students in the completion of reflective exercises. Be able to formulate a hypothesis based on knowledge.

-Be able to synthesize the functioning of a molecular mechanism in the form of a model diagram

Cellular and molecular biology 1 and 2, Genetics