Cell & Molecular Biology Graduate Group

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Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

Overview | Requirements | Courses

Program Overview

The process by which a single cell, the fertilized egg, becomes a complex organism has intrigued people for thousands of years, and continues to fascinate biologists today. Fundamental discoveries in developmental biology continue to yield insights into our origins, and into the molecular basis of many human diseases. Once development is complete, some tissues continue to regenerate throughout life, indicating that they contain self renewing populations of stem or progenitor cells whose divisions and fate decisions may be governed by mechanisms similar to those operating in the developing embryo. 

Identifying stem cell populations and understanding their regulation is a key area in modern biology, with potential applications in many fields of medicine. Recent findings indicate that adult cells can be induced to behave like embryonic stem cells, opening up further avenues of research in development and disease, and suggesting strategies for new regenerative therapies.

The Program in Developmental, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology integrates these diverse areas of biology, offering outstanding interdisciplinary training in developmental biology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genetics, epigenetics, genomics, disease genes, organogenesis, reproductive biology, stem cell biology and regenerative biology using a wide variety of plant and animal model systems. Students have the opportunity to participate in weekly journal clubs and seminar series, monthly student research presentations, a student-invited speaker series, and an annual cell and developmental biology symposium. Laboratories in this program conduct research in a wide variety of areas, including:

Cell Migration and Morphogenesis
Cell Polarity and Cytoskeleton
Developmental Neuroscience
Epigenetics
Reproductive Biology
Gene Expression
Organogenisis
Regenerative Biology
Stem Cells
Signal Transduction

using these Experimental Model Systems

(Click on a term to see laboratories working in that area)

Overview | Requirements | Courses

Program Requirements

Required Courses:

See Academic section of this site for more information on the CAMB graduate group's requirements and related topics.

Overview | Requirements | Courses

Program Courses 

 

(Click on links for course descriptions below.)

CAMB 511: Principles of Development
CAMB 597: Developmental Neurobiology
CAMB 620: Thematic Concepts in Developmental Biology
CAMB 697: The Biology of Stem Cells

Suggested Elective Courses:

CAMB 534: Seminar on Current Genetic Research
CAMB 541: Genetic Systems
CAMB 542: Topics in Molecular Medicine
CAMB 550: Genetic Principles
CAMB 608: Regulation of Eukaryotic Gene Expression
CAMB 630: Topics in Human Genetics
CAMB 632: Cell Control by Signal Transduction Pathways
CAMB 691 / 692: Advanced Topics in Cell Biology and Physiology
GCB 531: Introduction to Genome Science

CAMB 511: Principles of Development
2012 Syllabus
This graduate course, which will include lectures and readings from the literature, is designed to provide a foundation in the principles of developmental biology.  Topics covered will include: fertilization and cleavage, pattern formation, gastrulation, germ layer formation, tissue specification, morphogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, stem cell biology, and developmental evolution.  The use of modern molecular biology, genetics, and embryological manipulations will be discussed in the context of the analysis of developmental mechanisms. Offered spring semester. [up]

CAMB 597: Developmental Neurobiology
2011 Syllabus
The goal of this course is to examine the principles underlying nervous system development. This is not a survey course in Developmental Neurobiology. Rather, the course will focus on selected topics, for which we will discuss the molecular and cellular strategies employed in different model organisms. Offered fall semester. [up]

CAMB 620: Thematic Concepts in Developmental Biology
2011 Syllabus
The goal of this seminar course is to foster discussion about general strategies used by cells and organisms to solve fundamental problems during development. This is not a survey course in Developmental Biology. Rather, we focus on an overarching theme for the semester (see below), enabling us to define the issues central to that theme, and explore attempts to uncover solutions using different model systems. Primary research papers are assigned for discussion, and all students are expected to contribute thoughtfully and energetically to the discussion each week. Prior years' topics have been: "Developmental links to Disease"; "Cell Biology in Development"; "Stem Cells"; "Rulers, Clocks & Oscillators in Development". Offered fall semester. [up]

CAMB 697: The Biology of Stem Cells
2012 Syllabus
The goal of this course is to introduce graduate students to the field of stem cell biology through lectures and reviews of important contributions from the literature.  Topics include stem cell niche biology, epigenetics and reprogramming, tissue specific stem cells such as hematopoietic and epithelial stem cells, tissue regeneration, tissue engineering, and ethical and legal issues of stem cell and regeneration biology.  The future potential and challenges in stem cell and regeneration biology will be discussed.  Important aspects of stem cell identification and characterization utilizing multiple model systems will also be a focus.  Offered Spring Semester. Limited to 16 students. [up]

Suggested Elective Courses:

CAMB 534: Seminar on current genetic research: Modeling Human Disease in Animals.
2010 Syllabus
An advanced seminar course emphasizing genetic research in model organisms and how it informs modern medicine. Each week a student will present background on a specific human disease. This is followed by an intense discussion by the entire class of ~2 recent papers in which model organisms have been used to address the disease mechanism and/or treatment. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: CAMB 605 or CAMB542 or permission of the instructor. [up]

CAMB 541: Genetic Systems
2011 Syllabus
The genetics of different organisms (mouse, Drosophila, C.elegans, Arabidopsis, etc.) will be considered with an emphasis on the various techniques employed to study the action of genes in these organisms. Offered spring semester. [up]

CAMB 542: Topics in Molecular Medicine
TiMM is planned as a once-weekly seminar course whose goal is to introduce students to the ways in which biomedical research can provide new insights into clinical medicine and, conversely, how knowledge of clinical disease impacts scientific discovery. There are two sections for the course -- 401 and 402. Section 401 is for first year MD/PhD students only and section 402 is for VMD/PhD and PhD students. [up]

CAMB 550: Genetic Principles
2011 Syllabus
TThis is a required course of the Genetics and Gene Regulation Program and is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of genetic concepts and methodology. The course is organized into three parts: I Fundamental genetic concepts; II Genetics of model organisms (with a focus on yeast, worms, flies and mice); III Human genetics and disease. Each week there will be two lectures and one associated discussion/problem-solving session. Discussions emphasize practical aspects of generating and interpreting genetic data. Offered spring semester. [up]

CAMB 608: Seminar in Regulation of Eukaryotic Gene Expression
2011 Syllabus
An advanced seminar course emphasizing the molecular biology and molecular genetics of transcription in eukaryotes. Based on current literature, the presentations and discussions will familiarize the student with present day technology and developing principles. Prerequisites: CAMB 555 and permission of instructors. Offered fall semester. [up]

CAMB 630 : Topics in Human Genetics and Disease
Building on the foundations of the Human GenomeHapMap projects, our understanding of the basic concepts of Mendelian and non-Mendelian human genetic disease is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. This course will provide students with an overview of current problems and technical approaches in human genetics. Areas of focus will be analysis of disease mutations, chromosome rearrangements and disease, epigenetics, gene regulation and disease, human genomic variation and genomic applications to disease susceptibility. The format will be an advanced seminar course, with directed reading and student presentations. Prerequisites: This course is designed for students with previous background in graduate level genetics, i.e., CAMB graduate students having taken CAMB 550, or students in MD/PhD, veterinary, genetic counseling or nursing programs with equivalent courses. Offered fall semester even years. [up]

CAMB 632: Cell Control by Signal Transduction Pathways
2011 Syllabus
How do extracellular signals regulate cells and how do cells respond to these signals? Answers to these questions are crucial for understanding the molecular cascades that control cell function as well as the process of tumorigenesis. This course, "Cell control by signal transduction pathways", will examine how various signal transduction pathways influence cell functions such as gene transcription, protein translation, intracellular protein trafficking, and cell proliferation. The primary signal transduction pathways to be examined will be those mediated by Notch, Wnt, NF- B, Ras and Rho. After taking this course participants will have 1) become familiar with the principle of cellular signal transduction pathways, regulation of cellular behavior by the pathways, and typical approaches to investigation of signaling pathways. and 2) further developed and strengthened skills that are critical for success in scientific research. These include critical analysis of the scientific literature, generation of testable new hypotheses based on the literature, and design of well controlled experiments to test these hypotheses. Additionally, students will strengthen their skills in both oral and written scientific presentations. Offered spring semester. [up]

CAMB 691: Advanced Topics in Cell Biology and Physiology I

This course offers an advanced, in depth analysis of a broad array of topics in cell biology. Two courses, each covering a different selection of topics, will alternate each spring; the courses can be taken in either order, but require BIOM 600 or an equivalent background in basic cell biology. One course will cover channels and transporters, protein trafficking, and cytoskeleton and cell motility. This will alternate with a course considering signal transduction, mitosis, and cell cycle regulation. The style of the course will be a seminar, primarily focusing on representative papers form the current or older literature, which students will read, present and discuss. Offered alternately in the spring semester with CAMB 692. [up]

CAMB 692: Advanced Topics in Cell Biology and Physiology II
An in-depth consideration of key topics in cell biology and physiology. This course will focus on three major aspects: (1) signal transduction; (2) cell cycle and apoptosis; and (3) cell division. The course format will include both faculty lectures and student-led discussion sessions focusing on important papers from the primary literature. Students will be evaluated on their presentations and participation, as well as problem sets. Offered alternately in the spring semester with CAMB 691. [up]

GCB 531: Introduction to Genome Science
Recent advances in molecular biology, computer science, and engineering have opened up new possibilities for studying the biology of organisms. Biologists now have access to the complete set of cellular instructions encoded in the DNA of specific organisms, including dozens of bacterial species, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the nematode C. elegans, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The goals of the course are to 1) introduce the basic principles involved in mapping and sequencing genomes, 2) familiarize the students with new instrumentation, informatics tools, and laboratory automation technologies related to genomics; 3) teach the students how to access the information and biological materials that are being developed in genomics, and 4) examine how these new tools and resources are being applied to specific research problems. [up]

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