EZO-22306 Developmental Biology of Plants and Animals

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lectures24
Practical extensively supervised48
Self-study
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. S Kranenbarg
Lecturer(s)prof. dr. T Bisseling
dr. HGJM Franssen
dr. ir. MJ Ketelaar
dr. ir. S Kranenbarg
Examiner(s)prof. dr. T Bisseling
dr. ir. S Kranenbarg

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

Fundamentals of genetics and molecular biology (GEN-11806); Structure and function of plants (PPH-10806); Human and animal biology I (EZO-10306); Reproduction of plants (PCB-10803; Modeling biological systems (PPS-21306); Mechanisms of development (MOB-20803); Practical biological chemistry (BIC-10306)

Continuation courses:

Developmental biology of animals (EZO-30306); Molecular development (MOB-31303); Regulation of plant development (MOB-30806)

Contents:

The course offers a systems biology approach to the development of plants and animals. This approach bridges the gap between the traditional systems biology at the molecular and cellular levels and the integrative models at the ecological level. The developing organism is considered a system that needs to function and survive in its environment.
The content of each week is centered around a theme and integrates aspects of both plant and animal development. During the last week of the course, the students will integrate and expand their knowledge by writing an essay. The central themes of the first five weeks are:
- multicellular development;
- gene networks;
- gradient formation;
- pattern formation;
- polarity.

Learning outcomes:

- understand the value of a systems biology approach to developmental biology;
- be able to give a quantitative analysis of phenomena in developmental biology;
- understand and explain the essentials of a number of phenomena in developmental biology;
- know similarities and differences between plant and animal development from a conceptual point of view.

Activities:

- lectures;
- computer cases;
- literature study.

Examination:

Written examination and essay.

Literature:

A manual will be available.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBIBiologyBScB: Organismal and Developmental Biology5MO