Embryonic development is an extraordinary generative process, starting at the microscopic level and culminating in the formation of a fully developed organism on a macroscopic scale. We all begin life as a single fertilized egg, yet within weeks, we develop into complex multicellular organisms with defined body axes, specialized cell types, and functional organs capable of interacting intricately with our environment. How does this transformation occur? how do complex structures form from simple ones? how do identical cells acquire different fates and how do body axes form in symmetric embryos? why do embryos of different species look so similar?
In this course, we will explore these fundamental questions. We'll start by examining the major breakthroughs in developmental biology that have shaped our current understanding. You will learn how complex body structures emerge through the patterning and growth of simpler forms, how cell types diversify, and the role of genes and their regulation in these processes. We will also delve into how researchers use various animal models to study development, what can and cannot be learned from in-vitro models, and the classic as well as cutting-edge tools used in the field.