Module BIOL3291: DEVELOPMENT 2 (L)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3291: DEVELOPMENT 2 (L)

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide an advanced theoretical overview of important mechanisms and molecular and cellular controls governing animal and plant development.
• To conduct a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation, field work or literature search is important.

Content

• What is Induction and how can it be studied? Definitions and examples of induction.
• The Three Signal Model of Mesoderm Induction.
• Current view of Mesoderm and Neural Induction: Secondary Induction and Appendage formation.
• The Molecular basis of tooth morphogenesis.
• Induction by adult hair follicle and tooth cells.
• Homeobox genes and boy patterning in Drosophila and Vertebrates: production of Transgenic Mice: Use of Transgenics to study HOX function in Mice.
• Basic features of limb development.
• Growth factors and limb development.
• Anterior-Posterior patterning in Limbs.
• Cytoskeleton and plant cell morphogenesis.
• Embryogenesis I: Cellular events.
• Embryogenesis II: Early genes and morphogenesis.
• The root as an experimental system.
• Lateral root formation: re-activation of pericycle cell division.
• Project - a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by field work, laboratory experimentation or database information retrieval and analysis is important.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module each student should: Have advanced knowledge of key aspects of animal developmental biology, building on the year 2 course and with further understanding at the cell and molecular level.
• Have detailed and critical appreciation of the experimental parradigms and recent research findings associated with important mechanisms and events in development including early embryonic induction.
• secondary induction and organ formation.
• the role of homeobox genes in pattern formation and limb development.
• Have an advanced knowledge of aspects for the molecular and cell biology of the structure of the plant cytoskeleton and role in cell shape control.
• and mechanisms of pattern formation, exemplified by reference to development of the embryo and root of the model genetic organism Arabidopsis.

• Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
• Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental and clinical data and present the results effectively.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Taught Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures, seminars and workshops, the latter to provide additional specialist input.
• Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of data.
• Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of a written test.
• Recovery, interpretation and presentation of data will be required for talks / presentations on research topics derived from the course.
• These will be formatively assessed.
• Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.
• Project Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through supervised individual laboratory work.
• Skills will be acquired through advanced practical or field work and through the searching, retrieval and presentation of data.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Group talks on a research topic related to the course.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University