Developmental Biology

Overview

Developmental Biology is the science of the processes governing the growth and development of organisms. It includes studies of the genes and molecules that control cell growth, differentiation and morphogenesis that give rise to tissues, organs and individuals.

Programme Structure

The programme is a one year, full-time taught degree running over three semesters. The structure of the programmes is:

• Semester One: Five 6-credit units including Literature Reviews related to the specialisation.
• Semester Two: Five 6-credit units including a Research Project Preparation Unit.
• Semester Three: A single 30-credit Research Project.

Literature Reviews: This unit is designed to develop the knowledge base and level of understanding in two current research areas of the specialisation and give experience of extended scholarly writing. The topics will be chosen by the academic specialisation tutor. The topics may be related to the chosen research project.

Research Project Preperation: This unit is designed to provide both research-specific and transferable skills as preparation for the semester three project. It will include risk assessments (for microorganisms, chemicals, radiation, etc.), safety legislation, time management, project planning, academic writing, making effective presentations, poster preparation, bibliographic databases, personal development planning, scientific ethics, plagiarism, requirements of the Data Protection Act and intellectual property rights, spinouts and licensing. Research skills will be related to the requirements of the research project.

Available 6-credit taught units include:

• Molecular genetics of vertebrate development
• Advanced developmental genetics
• Systems and developmental neurobiology
• Molecular mechanisms of disease
• Current topics in gene regulation and cell differentiation
• Human developmental disorders
• Vertebrate developmental biology
• Cell biology of metastasis

Titles of projects that have been offered in recent years include:

• Analysis of dynamic stem cell behaviour underlying regeneration and carcinogenesis
• Analysis of dynamic cell behaviour underlying regeneration and tumorigenesis in living vertebrates
• Chemical genetics of pigment cell development
• Development and proliferation of epithelial cells
• Gene expression patterns in developing chick embryos
• Investigating macrophage migration in the Drosophila embryo
• Real-time analysis of how cancer cells derive from stem cells using mouse iPS cells
• Roles of frizzled genes in pigment cell development
• The regulation of gene expression by genomic imprinting
• The role of growth factor and tumour suppressor genes in normal development and cancer.
• Transdifferentiation of pancreas and liver
• Transgenic mouse models of human genetic disorders
• Visualising organ anatomy using 3D imaging

There are several units and ancillary activities to support the development of the student. Besides the Literature Reviews and the Research Project Preparation units there will be programme tutorials run by the Director of Studies and personal tutorials with the Academic Tutor. Free English language tuition is provided in a course especially designed by bioscientists for non-native English speakers.

Assessment

Assessments of taught units are varied. In addition to essays and written examinations, masters level units will often have coursework assessments of seminar discussions, oral presentations, poster presentations and critical analyses. The project is assessed by submission of a report and an assessed talk or poster.