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DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
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DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
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Academic year 2023/2024
- Course ID
- SVB0064
- Teacher
- Silvia De Marchis (Coordinator)
- Degree course
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Year
- 1st year
- Teaching period
- Semester 2
- Type
- Distinctive
- Credits/Recognition
- 6
- Course disciplinary sector (SSD)
- BIO/06 - comparative anatomy and cytology
- Delivery
- Formal authority
- Language
- English
- Attendance
- Lessons optional and laboratories mandatory
- Type of examination
- Written and interview (optional)
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Sommario del corso
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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.
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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
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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.
All lectures will be delivered in presence, subject to updates on the measures adopted by UniTo which can be found on the University portal under "Provisions for those who study and work at UniTo" (see https://en.unito.it/
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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 in presence, subject to updates on the measures adopted by UniTo which can be found on the University portal under "Provisions for those who study and work at UniTo" (see https://en.unito.it/studying-unito) Academic conduct: The penalty for course-related dishonesty (ei. cheating on exams, plagiarism, etc) will be a failure for the entire course.IMPORTANT: Early registration to the e-learning platform (moodle) is mandatory !
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Support activities
Supplementary activities and material
- selected readings provided on the Moodle platform;
- online exercises for self-evaluation provided on the Moodle platform;
- external in-depth videos on specific topics uploaded to the Moodle platform.
All the video-lectures, rslides, selected papers and websites are fully available on Moodle.
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Program
This year, a module of the course will be given by the Visiting Professor Michèle Studer (Institute de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice), an internationally recognized specialist in the field of neural development, and expert in cortical development.
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. 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, immunofluorescence and 3D imaging of optically cleared organs.
Suggested readings and bibliography
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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.
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Class schedule
Lessons: from 05/03/2019 to 14/06/2019
Notes: See the timetable at the Class Schedule Page
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