Developmental Biology Program

Program Chair:

Dr. Daniel Kessler
1110 BRB II/III / 6058
Phone: 215-898-1478
Fax: 215-573-7601
kesslerd@mail.med.upenn.edu

Overview | Requirements | Courses

Embryogenesis is a fascinating process of self-assembly in which a fertilized egg undergoes cellular division and specialization to form a functioning multicellular organism. Developmental biology is the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate formation of the embryo. Today, developmental biologists pursue interdisciplinary research encompassing fundamental questions in gametogenesis, fertilization, pattern formation, differentiation, signal transduction, gene regulation, cell cycle control, growth regulation, cell death, cytoskeletal dynamics, cell motility, neuronal connectivity, and adult and embryonic stem cells. Developmental biology also provides profound insight into the mechanisms of human disease.

The Program in Developmental Biology offers outstanding interdisciplinary training in the developmental biology of animals and plants. A diverse group of faculty currently study Arabidopsis, C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, Xenopus, chick and mouse. Experimental strategies used in these research programs include genetics, embryology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genomics, and proteomics. Program faculty also study the disease genes and pathways of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and congenital malformations. 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
Gametes and Fertilization
Gene Expression
Organogenesis
Stem Cells
Signal Transduction

using these Experimental Model Systems

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

Overview | Requirements | Courses

Required Courses:

• BIOM core courses,
• CAMB 605 (see Curriculum page), and
• CAMB 511 (Principles of Development) and
• CAMB 620 (Thematic Concepts in Developmental Biology).

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

Overview | Requirements | Courses

(Click on links for course descriptions below.)

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

Suggested Elective Courses:

CAMB 530: Seminar in Cell Growth and Cancer
CAMB 534: Seminar on Current Genetic Research
CAMB 541: Genetic Systems
CAMB 542: Topics in Molecular Medicine
CAMB 550: Genetic Principles
CAMB 597: Developmental Neurobiology
CAMB 608: Regulation of Eukaryotic Gene Expression
CAMB 630: Topics in Human Genetics
CAMB 631: Cell Adhesion and Cytoskeleton
CAMB 632: Cell Control by Signal Transduction Pathways
CAMB 638: Advanced Seminar in Apoptosis
CAMB 691 / 692: Advanced Topics in Cell Biology and Physiology
GCB 531: Introduction to Genome Science

CAMB 511: Principles of Development
Syllabus-2008
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, gastrulation, germ layer formation, tissue specification, morphogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, stem cell biology and developmental evolution. Molecular mechanisms by which pattern formation is generated will be considered in depth. 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 620: Thematic Concepts in Developmental Biology
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
2008 Syllabus
This course will be directed towards second year PhD, MD/PhD, and VMD/PhD graduate students as an elective course and is intended as an introduction and in-depth discussion course focused on the biology of stem cells. The course will focus on basic mechanisms regulating self renewal, pluripotency and regeneration biology. Topics will include biology of the niche, spermatogonial stem cells, embryonic stem cells, epigenetics and reprogramming, cancer stem cells, regeneration, tissue engineering and one session will focus on legal and ethical issues. In addition, the course will focus on selected examples of adult stem cells with an introduction to translational medicine approaches involving stem cell biology. Course instructors will ensure continuity and will be responsible for evaluating the students, while visiting experts from the Penn community will deliver specialized lectures, choose appropriate papers relevant to their topic, and direct the related discussion sessions. In addition, the course will be integrated with a new Stem Cell Seminar series, whenever possible, and will provide the students with special interactions and access to visiting experts in the stem cell field. Offered spring semester. [up]

Suggested Elective Courses:

CAMB 530: Seminar in Cell Cycle and Cancer
This seminar course will focus on molecular events which regulate cell cycle transitions and their relevance to human cancer. Topics will include control of the G1/S and G2/M transitions, relationships between tumor suppressor genes such as p16, Rb, p53 or oncogenes such as cyclin D, cdc25A, MDM2 or c-myc and cell cycle control. Where appropriate, the focus will be on understanding regulation of cell cycle control through transcriptional induction of gene expression, protein associations, posttranslational modifications like phosphorylation or regulation of protein stability like ubiquitin degradation. Although achieving an improved understanding of mammalian cancer is a goal of the course, much of our knowledge of the cell cycle derives from work done in more genetically tractable organisms, such as yeasts, drosophila, and xenopus. Offered fall semester. [up]

CAMB 534: Seminar on current genetic research: Modeling Human Disease in Animals.
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
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
2008 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 597: Developmental Neurobiology
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 608: Seminar in Regulation of Eukaryotic Gene Expression
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. (not offered Fall 2006).[up]

CAMB 631: Seminar in Cell Adhesion
This course expands on the basic principles of cell adhesion presented in BIOM 600 using primary literature to address the basic principles and biology of molecules involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion including analytic approaches, regulation of adhesion, signaling functions of adhesion molecules, and how these are connected to cellular processes of cell proliferation, cell differentiation. The course will include presentations on the scientific context and current issues in the field followed by class discussions of specific papers. Offered spring semester 2005.[up]

CAMB 632: Cell Control by Signal Transduction Pathways
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 638: Advanced Seminar in Apoptosis
The objective of this seminar course is to familiarize students with the fast-paced fields of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Following a discussion format, the course deals with four aspects of apoptosis: 1) key components of the apoptotic machinery (caspases, death adapter CED-4/Apaf-1, Bcl-2 family proteins, inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs), etc.); 2) death receptors and their signaling pathways, 3) mitochondria and apoptosis, and 4) apoptosis in diseases. Students are expected to read and to participate in the discussion of all assigned papers, and students are responsible for presenting the papers and leading discussions on a rotating basis. Course enrollment is limited to 12 students. Offered spring semester. [up]

CAMB 691: Advanced Topics in Cell Biology and Physiology I
2008 Syllabus
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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