Continuous observation of developing embryos from day 3 up to day 18 of incubation allows students to see differentiation of extra embryonic membranes and circulation, limb bud, heart, and feathers as well as pre-hatching behavior. For advanced classes, this method is useful to study teratology, organogenesis, and quantitative growth changes.

In this course, the student will learn about the field of developmental biology from its origins to the present day. The course will take a look at historical experiments as well as modern techniques and the mechanisms of development. The student will follow a variety of metazoan organisms from their start at fertilization through the stages of their development and on to entire organismal and post-embryonic development, learning along the way about the molecular and genetic regulations involved in these processes. (Biology 310)

The principles involved in morphogenesis and the determination of complex cellular patterns are examined using examples from animal systems in which the tools of genetics, molecular biology and cell biology have been applied to reveal mechanism. This graduate and advanced undergraduate level lecture and literature discussion course covers the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate animal development. Evolutionary mechanisms are emphasized as well as the discussion of relevant diseases. Vertebrate (mouse, chick, frog, fish) and invertebrate (fly, worm) models are covered. Specific topics include formation of early body plan, cell type determination, organogenesis, morphogenesis, stem cells, cloning, and issues in human development.

This exercise is a demonstration and is observation based. It requires students to carefully study the materials provided.

A laboratory exercise to explore the basic principles of vertebrate heart development, blood flow and electrical circuitry.

This scientific investigation uses hatching and development in brine shrimp as the biological system in which to demonstrate the laboratory model of teaching experimental design.

This resource is a detailed laboratory exercise manual for exploring concepts in developmental biology and regeneration.

This exercise uses brainstorming, writing, and oral presentation techniques within the framework of a laboratory to illustrate the basic principles of early development. In groups, students learn how to identify a good model system (the sea urchin), isolate its gametes, mix some gametes from each sex, and study the ensuing processes of fertilization and development. After being introduced to the basic techniques, student groups design their own experimental approaches to further analyze these processes.

The exercise will introduce the students to using chemical surgery as well as demonstrate the function of insect juvenile hormone and naturally occurring compounds in the interaction between insects and host plants.

The MIT Biology Department core courses, 7.012, 7.013, and 7.014, all cover the same core material, which includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material. 7.014 focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of human biology. Topics include genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, disease (infectious agents, inherited diseases and cancer), developmental biology, neurobiology and evolution.

The MIT Biology Department core courses, 7.012, 7.013, and 7.014, all cover the same core material, which includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material.7.014 focuses on the application of the fundamental principles toward an understanding of human biology. Topics include genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, disease (infectious agents, inherited diseases and cancer), developmental biology, neurobiology and evolution.

This series of laboratory exercises can be used to enhance existing labs focused on various aspects of plant biology, or to develop new laboratory-based courses at the undergraduate level.

This exercise uses microsurgery and the study of morphogenesis of a single-celled organism to try and gain a better understanding of the development of organisms.

The described methods allow for laboratory experiences at the general biology and embryology/developmental biology course levels as well as the senior research project level.

This laboratory exercise was designed to acquaint students with the embryonic development of the chick, fine dissection, organ culture, and application of experimental results to questions concerning development.

This simple assay makes use of the ability of the plant hormone GA3 to induce starch breakdown in the endosperm of a barley seed from which the embryo has been removed. The effect of the hormone is clear and repeatable. This exercise can be used in introductory biology courses to demonstrate a basic plant process, or can be modified and used to investigate more sophisticated questions in a developmental biology course.

This resource is a detailed manual of protocols and instructional information for carrying out an undergraduate laboratory exercise in plant biology, including student outlines and instructors notes.

The goal of this laboratory exercise is to provide a laboratory experience for undergraduates, in which they apply fundamental genetic principles to the study of a complex developmental process, specifically, root cell shape determination in the simple plant Arabidopsis thaliana. In this exercise, students identify putative root cell shape mutants, analyze an F2 segregating population, and finally use molecular techniques to determine where a specific mutation in located within the genome. This exercise can be adapted to study any fundamental developmental process than can be perturbed in Arabidopsis.

This resource is a detailed manual of protocols and instructional information for carrying out an undergraduate laboratory exercise in reproductive and developmental biology, including student outlines, instructors notes, and suggested questions for laboratory reports.