Developmental Biology (Biochem 246)

Course Schedule (Spring 2007, exact schedule TBA)
Course Directors: Kaveh Ashrafi and Takashi Mikawa
T/A: TBA
Lectures simulcast to Parnassus campus.

In the first several weeks of the course, students will learn basic concepts in developmental biology. In the second part of the quarter, concepts will be studied more in depth through a series of mini-courses.

Course schedule - Pending. The course is undergoing a reorganization. UPDATE 11/17/06: Tentative lecture schedule Tues/Thurs 1:30-2:20, April 2- May 16, followed by mini-course.

Although the new course wil be quite different, as reference here is the schedule from the 2005-06 school year.

March 27 - Didier Stainier	Introduction to Developmental Biology	Lecture 1 Powerpoint
April 3 - Didier Stainier	Organizing centers: activators and inhibitors	Lecture 2 Powerpoint
April 10 - Tom Kornberg	Morphogens	Lecture 3 Powerpoint
April 17 - Jeremy Reiter	Extracellular signaling: Hedgehog	Lecture 4 Powerpoint
April 24 - Wallace Marshall	Symmetry breaking	Lecture 5 Powerpoint
May 1 - Pat O'Farrell	Building detailed spatial patterns: the segmentation cascade	Lecture 6 Powerpoint
May 8 - Herwig Baier	Axon guidance	Lecture 7 Powerpoint
May 15 - John Rubenstein	Neural induction and Patterning	Lecture 8 Powerpoint
May 22 - Brian Black	Organ development: the cardiac pump	Lecture 9 Powerpoint
May 30 - Cynthia Kenyon	Regeneration
June 2 - Pat O'Farrell	How metazoans reach their full size: the natural history of bigness

Additional files for download:

Guidelines for finals

News and Views Example 1

News and Views Example 2

Discusssion Sections (Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 pm March 30 through June 1)

For each discussion session, one student will be responsible for a 5-10 minute presentation of the background as well as for leading the overall discussion. The performance of the student in this discussion session, the writing and presentation of a proposal, as well as participation in class and other discussion sessions will constitute the basis for the final grade.

In the last 5 weeks of the course, starting 5/4, one student will present his or her proposal or news and views in each discussion session. Your classmates and discussion leader will act as "examiners" and raise concerns. Feedbacks and criticisms you receive can be used to revise your final witten work to be submitted by June 12 noon. You are not graded on your presentation or the draft you sent to your group.

There are no additional presentations or examinations.

Discussion Papers for Download (as available)

Date	Paper	Questions
1. March 30	Paper 1	Discussion Questions 1
2. April 6	Paper 2	Discussion Questions 2
3. April 13	Paper 3
4. April 20	Paper 4	Discussion Questions 4
5. April 27	Paper 5	Discussion Questions 5
6. May 4	Paper 6	Discussion Questions 6
7. May 11	Paper 7	Discussion Questions 7
8. May 18	Paper 8	Discussion Questions 8
9. May 25	Paper 9	Discussion Questions 9
10. June 1	Paper 10