First year students at Imperial get four lectures on developmental biology

Lecture 1: Embryogenesis. A description of the mechanics of embryogenesis, cleavage through to gastrulation, in spiralian, radial, nematode and insect embryos.

Lecture 2. Embryonic patterning. An investigation of dorso-ventral patterning in Drosophila and vertebrates, with a look a &Eaccute;tienne Geoffroy Saint-Hiliaire's assertion that an upside-down lobster is really the same as mouse on its four feet.

Lectures 3 & 4. Morphogenesis. An investigation of the molecular basis of vertebrate development using the vertebrate limb-bud. The orgin of the limb bud, and the patterning of its axes are discussed, particularly with reference to human genetic pathology.

Texts for the course, available in the library are:

Gilbert, S. 2003. Developmental Biology, 7th ed, Sinauer. (The major textbook.)
The 6th edition of this textbook is freely available online.

Wolpert, L. et al. 1998. Principles of Development. Current Biology. (A primer.)

Leroi, A. 2003. Mutants. HarperCollins UK. (A popular account of human molecular development.)

Powerpoint files of the lectures are available online. (Access restricted to Imperial College.)