Cellular and Molecular Biology

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY

Academic year 2022/2023

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

This teaching contributes to the learning objectives included into the Neurobiological curriculum of the Master in Cellular and Molecular Biology - Biologia Cellulare e Molecolare, providing knowledge and applicative abilities. 

The main objective is to guide students to understand the genesis of the complexity of the nervous system, by developing research skills and critical readings of scientific papers dealing with different aspects of neural development. Through the analysis of the most recent literature based on different animal and in vitro models, the students will acquire knowledge on the principles and  cellular/molecular mechanisms  underlying normal development of the nervous system, as well as the neurobiological  bases of neurodevelopmental disorders. 

Results of learning outcomes

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• identify  fundamental concepts in developmental biology 
• use appropriate terminology in developmental biology
• explain the principles of  neural induction (molecular mechanisms and conservation among metazoa)
• associate specific genes to acquisition of regional identity in the developing nervous system
• define what is an organizing center in developing brain and provide examples
• describe the cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying  neural circuit development
• identify the features and potential of neural stem/progenitors cells and define their regulation by cell-autonomous vs non autonomous factors.
• link specific cellular/molecular dysfunctions to neurodevelopmental disorders

 APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• identify the best  model systems to address specific scientific questions in developmental neuroscience 
• grasp the core concept of a scientific paper 
• find and elaborate data related to gene expression/distribution in the developing nervous system starting from public availabe resources (i.e. Allen Brain Atlas)
• find possible experimental approaches and choose the right technology to address specific questions in the field of developmental neuroscence
• write a research project 

INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT

• interpretation and discussion of scientific data.
• peer revision of other students tasks 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• presentation of scientific papers and/or active participation to scientific discussion following lectures and seminars. 
• presentation of a research project.
• writing of short reports on scientific papers.

LEARNING SKILLS

• learning skills will be fostered through activities with peers working in group 

Course delivery

During the course, the students will be weekly guided to understand specific topics related to the main questions and established knowledge in the field of neurodevelopmental research through in classroom lectures and seminars, interactive group work, discussion time.  Readings of scientific articles and online activities on moodle platform will be assigned to the students and monitored by the teacher. 

Learning assessment methods

The tasks and activities during the course, as well as the overall engagement of the students, will be evaluated (30% weight on the final grade).

The final exam will be on the Moodle platform and will consist of 10 closed questions and 2 open questions based on topics covered in lectures, assigned readings, and online activities, followed by an optional oral examination (70% weight on the final grade).

Active participation in the tasks and activities in class is highly recommended. Students who, for any reason, do not participate in at least 70% of the proposed activities will have to contact the professor to agree on alternative compensation.

The final learning assessment will be in written form (on Moodle platform) with optional oral integration.

Exams will take place exclusively in presence with the only exception of students who self-declare, in relation to Covid-19, personal fragility or positivity.

Remote examinations may be introduced according to the University recommendations related to the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

IMPORTANT: Early registration to the e-learning platform (moodle) is mandatory !

Program

This year, a module of the course will be given by the Visiting Professor Paolo Giacobini (Inserm U1172), an internationally recognized specialist in the field of neural development, and expert in the development of the GnRH system in rodents and humans.

Program

Introduction and basic knowledge in developmental biology; animal models, in vitro models and technologies for the study of nervous system development; neural induction, derivation of the nervous system in different metazoa, origin, role and molecular nature of the neural inducer; neural patterning, Hox genes and antero-posterior axis, dorso-ventral polarity of the neural tube; Cell proliferation and migration in the developing nervous tissue; Neural cell specification, determination and differentiation; Axon growth and guidance; Cerebral cortex development; Adult neurogenesis; Development of GnRH neurons, the full repertoire of molecular cues regulating their migratory process and the precise targeting of these cells to the hypothalamus. Particular emphasis will be given to new emerging technologies that can be applied synergistically to study any cell-tissue system development, such as single cell profiling, spatial transcriptomics, 2D mass cytometry, cyclic immunofluorescence and 3D imaging of optically cleared organs.

There is no specific textbook for this course. For basic and general reference, see Development of the Nervous System (D.H. Sanes, T.A. Reh, W. A. Harris) Academic Press - Elsevier, 4th Ed.

Specific scientific Articles and Reviews will be uploaded on the Moodle course website.

Websites containing support videos, texts, images and other materials are also indicated.

Class schedule

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums