2024 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)
- Takeo Saneyoshi / Mikiko Tanaka / Atsushi Kawakami / Kazunori Tachibana / Takashi Suzuki / Nobuaki Shiraki
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue / 1-2 Fri
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LST.A243
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 17, 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
Develop an understanding of the history of developmental biology, exploring its connections with other fields within modern biology and appreciating its significance. Examine the applications of developmental biology in fields such as medical science and pharmacology, highlighting its importance in modern life sciences. Learn about the experimental and analytical techniques commonly used in experimental developmental biology
Build a foundational understanding of the key principles and mechanisms underlying early development in both vertebrates and invertebrates, including the molecular pathways that drive these processes.
Furthermore, understand the developmental progression from early embryonic stages to organogenesis, focusing on cellular behaviors and the molecular mechanisms, such as signaling pathways and transcriptional regulation, that contribute to these developmental processes.
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 | Basics of developmental biology: Relationship between developmental biology and medicine | Understand the mechanisms of genetic and non-genetic congenital diseases, and look back the basis of high school level biology. |
| Class 2 | Basics of developmental biology: Basic biology and stem cells | Understand how the knowledge of basic biology is applied to therapeutics, and understand the concept of stem cells. |
| Class 3 | Basics of developmental biology: History and important concepts of biology | Understand the process through which developmental biology became modern life science. |
| Class 4 | Formation of axis, germ layers and mesoderm | Understand the axis, germ layer formation and mesoderm induction. |
| Class 5 | Drosophila embryogenesis 1: Segmentation | Explain the mechanisms of segmentation during Drosophila embryogenesis. |
| Class 6 | Drosophila embryogenesis 2: Homeotic genes | Explain the roles of Homeotic genes during early Drosophila embryogenesis. |
| Class 7 | Organogenesis 1: Ectoderm derivatives | Explain the mechanisms of development of ectoderm-derived organs. |
| Class 8 | Organogenesis 2: Mesoderm derivatives | Explain the mechanisms of development of mesoderm-derived organs. |
| Class 9 | Organogenesis 3: Endoderm derivatives | Explain the mechanisms of development of endoderm-derived organs. |
| Class 10 | Cell differentiation and stem cells | Explain the characteristics of stem cells and the mechanisms of cell differentiation. |
| Class 11 | germ cells and fertilization | Explain the features and the mechanisms of germ cells and fertilization. |
| Class 12 | sex determination | Explain the mechanisms of neuronal differentiation and fate determination in neuronal development. |
| Class 13 | Neuronal Development (1): Neurogenesis and fate determination | Explain the mechanisms of neuronal differentiation and fate determination in neuronal development. |
| Class 14 | Neuronal Development (2): Neuronal circuit formation and its refinement | Explain the mechanisms of neuronal circuit formation and its refinement during neuronal development. |
| 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
Nobuaki Shiraki shiraki[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Takashi Suzuki suzukit[at]bio.titech.ac.jp
Takeo Saneyoshi saneyoshi.t.cfc3[at]m.isct.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact each teachers by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.