Cell and developmental biology for engineers

BIO-221 / 4 credits

Teacher(s): Gönczy Pierre, Oates Andrew Charles

Language: English

Summary

Students will learn essentials of cell and developmental biology with an engineering mind set, with an emphasis on animal systems and quantitative approaches.

Content

Students will be introduced to fundamental concepts and questions in cell and developmental biology, with an emphasis on animal systems and quantitative approaches. Topics will include fertilization, cell polarity, genome activation, patterning, axis specification, gastrulation, organogenesis, regeneration, cell death, germ cell specification, cell migration, multicellularity and evolution. Students will learn that developmental systems must have the correct constituents (the what question), positional information (the where question), temporal information (the when question), as well as appropriate relationships between genes, cells, tissues and organisms (the how questions). Parallels will be drawn between concepts familiar to engineers and developmental systems to highlight underlying guiding principles.

Keywords

Cell biology, developmental biology, quantitative aspects, embryogenesis, model systems (C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, mouse, ...), research strategies, experimental approaches, mathematical modeling, computer simulations.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Second year Life Sciences BSc, but motivated and equally prepared students from other disciplines are welcome to join.  

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Explain principles in cell and developmental biology
  • Establish parallels between engineering and development
  • Model developmental processes
  • Assess / Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of different model systems and approaches
  • Draw conclusions from experimental data
  • Propose experiments to address important outstanding questions

Transversal skills

  • Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
  • Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.

Teaching methods

Each week, the first two hours consist of lectures given by the teachers, whereas the next two hours consist of reading, demonstrations and/or exercises, including computer simulations (depending on the week).

Expected student activities

Students are expected to participate actively in all four hours of class. Moreover, four hours of personal study per week are expected on average.

Assessment methods

Two continuous evaluations will be performed during the semester (in week 7 and week 14); further details regarding the exam format will be provided in due time during the semester.

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants Yes
Forum No
Others Appointments with the teachers by e-mail.

Resources

Bibliography

Some of the illustrations will be drawn from:

Developmental Biology, Gilbert and Barresi, 11th edition, Sinauer, Oxford

Other sources will be indicated on the lecture slides.

Ressources en bibliothèque

Notes/Handbook

The lectures slides will also be made available through Moodle.

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Cell and developmental biology for engineers
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Cell and developmental biology for engineers
  • Courses: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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