502300 - DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY

courses

ID:

502300

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

ANATOMIA COMPARATA E CITOLOGIA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Course Objectives

Recent research in the field of developmental biology has opened novel possible applications in the biomedical field. The objective of this course is to give students notions on the cytological and molecular aspects of oogenesis, spermatogenesis, fertilisation, preimplantation development and on the process of cell differentiation. At the end of the course, students will be able to discuss critically and with the appropriate language the specific topics of the lessons attended.

Course Prerequisites

A good basis of cell biology, genetics, molecular biology

Teaching Methods

Before each new lesson, the teacher will first summarise the contents of the earlier lesson and, then, he will check whether the previous topics have been well understood through an interactive discussion with the students.

Assessment Methods

Besides the short verifications described above and performed throughout the course, there will be a final written exam during which the student will be asked two open questions on topics discussed during the course. The exam will last for 120 minutes. Not only will be the understanding of a specific topic valued, but also the capacity of the student to trace, using an appropriate language, those links necessary to the understanding of the biological phenomenon described. Thus, the exam will evaluate how the student has integrated the knowledge acquired during the course and the level of achievement of the objectives.

Texts

- Developmental Biology 11th Edition, by Scott F. Gilbert and Michael J. F. Barresi. Sinauer Associates, Oxford University Press.
- Principles of Development, Lewis Wolpert, Cheryll Tickle, Alfonso Martinez Arias. Oxford University Press.

Also, at the student request, the teacher will be available for insights into specific topics discussed during the course, including the analysis of recent published papers on these topics.

- Cell cycle and meiosis
- Cytological and molecular aspects of spermatogenesis
- Cytological and molecular aspects of oogenesis
- Acquisition of the oocyte developmental competence
- Cytological and molecular aspects of fertilisation
- Cytological and molecular aspects of preimplantation development
- Micromanipulation of the preimplantation embryo
- Origin of stemness
- Sources of stem cells
- Markers of embryonic stem cells
- Pathways and stability of embryonic stem cells
- Genome stability, plasticity and reprogramming
- Differentiation and clinical use of embryonic stem cells

Course Language

English

More information

For students who certify that they are in one of the conditions indicated in the '2023-2024 teaching methods' document (Annex A) and who cannot follow the teaching activities in person, the teacher will guarantee up to 2 hours of office hours per week, including online, with flexibility according to the needs.