Developmental genetics

-A general introduction to developmental biology

How do cells build a multicellular animal organism from a single genome? Genotype/phenotype relationship.

-Genetic testing reminders

Nature of mutations (loss-of-function; gain-of-function), concept of "master gene," clonal analysis (generation of somatic or germline clones), concept of cellular autonomy....

-Genetic models and methods.

Study of regulatory regions, establishment of transgenic lines, enhancer traps, reporter genes (GFP, mCherry, etc.), model organisms (Drosophila, C. elegans, mice, etc.).Use of FLP/FRT, CRE-LOX, UAS-GAL4-GAL80, AttpP/B-PhiC31, CRISPR, etc. systems.

-Positional information, genes with maternal effects, and the establishment of asymmetry.

Models and mechanisms of positional information = induction, Spemann and Mangold's experiment, organizing centers, concept of morphogens in invertebrates and vertebrates

-Establishment of axes: anteroposterior, dorsoventral.

Genetic screens: genes with maternal effects and genes with zygotic effects. Cell communication and signaling pathways: in establishing the dorsoventral axis, in limb formation, in establishing cell fate (some examples: nervous system: lateral inhibition process, etc.).

-Segmentation: gap genes, pair rule genes, and segmental polarity genes.

Segmentation in invertebrates and somitogenesis in vertebrates, dynamic aspects (establishment and maintenance).

-Signaling and transcriptional networks

Transcriptional regulation during development, regulatory sequences during evolution, concept of gene networks. Coupling of transcription and signaling pathways in cell fate.

-Transcriptional program memory through epigenetic mechanisms:

Hox homeotic genes and segmental identity. Concepts of Evo-Devo. Polycomb and Trithorax complexes.

Involvement of epigenetic mechanisms during cell differentiation

Animal development from gamete formation to adulthood is controlled by a highly regulated genetic program.

The objective of this course is to introduce the fundamental processes that govern animal development.

Classical genetics

Concepts of genetic analysis

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Recommended prerequisites:

Functional genomics

CT: 3 hours

CC: Analysis of article figures. 30% of the final grade. Maximum rule.