Index of lecture „Grundlagen der

Index of lecture „Grundlagen der Entwicklungsgenetik des Menschen“
VO 2 Std.; lecturers: Christian Schöfer, Klara Weipoltshammer
The aim of this lecture is to give an overview of the many aspects of basic regulatory
mechanisms which drive embryonic development. Throughout the lecture, evolutionary
aspects of development are integrated as well as medical aspects whenever appropriate.
I.
History - From Aristoteles to Dolly
a.
b.
c.
d.
II.
Antiquity, Aristoteles: De generatione animalium, Historia animalium
Arabians, middle ages, enlightenment
Influences on embryology during 19th and early 20th century
From second half of 20th century to present
Methodology
a.
b.
Descriptive, experimental embryology, developmental genetics and biology
Selected techniques
III. Important model systems
From C. elegans to M. musculus
IV. Early mammalian development – epigenetic expression control
a.
b.
c.
d.
V.
Meiosis, gametogenesis, fertilization, cleavage, morula, blastocyst
Epigenetic chromatin modifications
X-inactivation
Determination, differentiation, cellular potency (Weismann, cloning)
From disk to embryo – development 2nd to 4th week
a.
b.
Implantation, gastrulation, delamination from yolk sac
General principles
VI. Developmental genetics
a. Developmental control genes and signal molecules
b. Drosophila: maternal morphogenes, segmentation-, selector-, patterning genes
c. The homeotic selector genes - homeobox genes and homeotic transformations
d. Master control genes – Pax6 and eye development
e. Control of developmental gene expression
VII. Positional identity, pattern formation and gradients
a.
b.
c.
Drosophila – bicoid
Somitogenesis – gradient and oscillating genes
Models: French flag, clock-wave front model, etc.
VIII. Limb development – integration of basic principles
a.
b.
c.
Basics – three axes, hind- and forelimb definition
Immigration of cells into limb anlagen
Apoptosis and morphogenesis
IX. Developmental genes and cancer
a.
b.
X.
Example: Hedgehog signalling
Stem cells and cancer stem cells
Developmental mechanics
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Self organisation
Cytoskeleton and morphogenesis
Directed cellular movement
Cell-cell interactions - contact guidance, waypoint navigation, CAMs
Cell condensation
Morphogenesis – tubules, branches
Oriented cell divisions and morphogenesis
XI. Medical aspects
a. Therapeutically and reproductive cloning
b. IVF
c. Teratology
d. Excursion to the “Narrenturm”; collection of congenital disorders
In addition to the lecture, students will perform a typical experiment in the field of
developmental biology. In our case, we will detect the expression pattern of a specific
developmental gene in chicken embryos by in-situ hybridization.
Furthermore, an excursion to the Pathologisch-anatomisches Bundesmuseum (“Narrenturm”)
will take place at the end of the lecture in order to study malformations as consequences of
aberrant gene function.