The Developmental biology course aims to provide the students with the basic knowledge both on  the set of morphogenetic processes leading from zygote to a multicellular organism, formed by different cell types, organized into tissues and organs with a specific localization and function, and about the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these events.

Developmental biology introduction. The life cycle of organisms: stages of animal development. Origin and specification of the germ layers. Mosaic development mosaic, regulative development. Morphogen gradients and positional information. 

Determination and differentiation. Differentiation potential changes during development. Cell determination and gene expression regulation. Cell differentiation: reversibility and irreversibility of the gene activity pattern. Tissue-specific control of gene expression: the maintenance of cellular diversity. Stem cells: definition, molecular characteristics and their niches maintenance. Stem cells in the adult organism: epidermis, neural stem cells. 

Morphogenesis and cell adhesion. Differential cell adhesion. Cell surface and cell-cell adhesion molecules: cadherins. Extracellular matrix and cell-matrix adhesion molecules. Cell-matrix adhesion molecules leading role in cell migration. Integrins. Integration of cells into tissues. 

Cell communication in development. Cell communication: signaling molecules and their receptors. Intracellular receptors and cell surface receptors. Intracellular signalling. Signaling pathways depending on regulated proteolysis. Embryonic induction and competence. Paracrine and iuxtacrine factors. 

Apoptosis. Notes of Apoptosis in animal development. Differences between necrosis and apoptosis. Mechanisms and functions of cell death. Apoptosis stages. 

Embryology. Spermatogenesis and oogenesis and molecules involved in their regulation. Fertilization and zygote formation. 
Stages of embryonic development: cleavage, gastrulation, neurulation, organogenesis. Formation of the body axes and molecular processes involved. 
Model organisms: development in some invertebrates. Developmental stages in amphibians and birds. Development of mammals. Embryonic membranes.

There are not prerequisites. However, understanding the topics of the course in Developmental Biology requires some basic knowledge of cell biology and genetics.

D1- KNOWLEDGE AND CAPACITY OF UNDERSTANDING: In order to pass the exam the student  must prove to  have acquired an advanced level of theoretical knowledge in the field of Developmental biology that will help him understand the mechanisms of reproduction and development

D2-ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The student must demonstrate that he had acquired the abilities to use the knowledge independently for understand and describe the fundamental concepts of development

D3-AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT: The student will have acquired knowledge to enable him to describe the topics covered and to be able to independently evaluate and motivate any different opinions about the problematic aspects of developmental biology

D4-COMMUNICATION SKILLS: After completing the course, the student must have achieved an appropriate organization of their knowledge around to the different themes of the course, to enable him to present the arguments in organic form and with appropriate scientific language

D5-CAPACITY of LEARNING: The student will be able to examine and understand scientific texts.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Course books

Gilbert F.S., Biologia dello sviluppo, Zanichelli.

Wolpert L., Biologia dello sviluppo, Zanichelli.

Giudice G., Augusti-Tocco G., Campanella C., Biologia dello sviluppo, Casa Editrice Piccin.

Andreuccetti P., Carnevali O., Dini L., et al., Biologia dello sviluppo, Mc Graw

Assessment

Oral exam. Students are expected to answer a few questions (three or four), and be able to connect different topics together. The exams will assess the knowledge and reasoning skills, the ability to solve problems and interpret data in accordance with what is stated by the Dublin descriptors.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Frontal lessons
 

Course books

Gilbert F.S., Biologia dello sviluppo, Zanichelli.

Wolpert L., Biologia dello sviluppo, Zanichelli.

Giudice G., Augusti-Tocco G., Campanella C., Biologia dello sviluppo, Casa Editrice Piccin.

Andreuccetti P., Carnevali O., Dini L., et al., Biologia dello sviluppo, Mc Graw

Assessment

Oral exam. Students are expected to answer a few questions (three or four), and be able to connect different topics together. The exams will assess the knowledge and reasoning skills, the ability to solve problems and interpret data in accordance with what is stated by the Dublin descriptors.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.