2021 Faculty Courses School of Life Science and Technology Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Developmental Biology
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
- Instructor(s)
- Mikiko Tanaka / Atsushi Kawakami / Kazunori Tachibana / Takashi Suzuki / Nobuaki Shiraki
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue (W621) / 1-2 Fri (W621)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A243
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The aim of this class is to understand the basic subjects of developmental biology. Students will understand the processes and the mechanisms of animal development, morphogenesis, mitosis, meiosis, neurogenesis, and organ formation.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand the processes of animal development, and the molecular background of morphogenesis and organogenesis.
Keywords
Body axis formation, Gastrulation, Mitosis, Meiosis, Neurogenesis, Morphogenesis, Organogenesis
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
When required, students will be given a small test or report as an index of purpose achievement.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | History and basic concepts of developmental biology | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 2 | Development of vertebrates I: Experimental embryology | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 3 | Early embryogenesis (1) (cleavage and axis formation) | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 4 | Early embryogenesis (1) (germ layers and mesoderm induction) | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 5 | Drosophila embryogenesis 1 | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 6 | Drosophila embryogenesis 2 | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 7 | Organogenesis 1: Ectoderm derivatives | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 8 | Organogenesis 2: Mesoderm derivatives | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 9 | Organogenesis 3: Endoderm derivatives | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 10 | Cell differentiation and stem cells | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 11 | Neuronal Development (1): Neurogenesis and fate determination | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 12 | Neuronal Development (2): Neuronal circuit formation and its refinement | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 13 | Advances in Developmental Biology | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 14 | Mitosis | Specific instructions will be given in each class. |
| Class 15 | Examination or spare day |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Principles of Development, Fourth Edition, by Lewis Wolpert and Cheryll Tickle, MEDSI
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Reference books:"Campbell Biology, 10th Edition" by Jane B Reece, et al., "Discover Biology, 5th Edition" by Anu Singh-Cundy and Michael L Cain. Course materials will be provided during class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Academic assessment could be done by the performance in the class, if necessary. The term-end examination will be conducted.
Related courses
- LAS.B101 ： Fundamental Life Science 1-1
- LAS.B102 ： Fundamental Life Science 1-2
- LAS.B103 ： Fundamental Life Science 2-1
- LAS.B104 ： Fundamental Life Science 2-2
- LST.A347 ： Evolutionary Biology
- LST.A203 ： Biochemistry I
- LST.A218 ： Biochemistry II
- LST.A208 ： Molecular Biology I
- LST.A213 ： Molecular Biology II
- LST.A248 ： Molecular Genetics
Prerequisites
Student are recommended to complete classes of Biochemistry 1 and Molecular biology 1.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Atsushi Kawakami atkawaka[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Mikiko Tanaka mitanaka[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Kazunori Tachibana tachibana.k.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Nobuaki Shiraki shiraki[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Takashi Suzuki suzukit[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact each teachers by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.