Developmental Biology

Developmental biology is the study of the process by which organisms grow and develop from a single cell, such as a fertilized egg, into a complex multicellular adult. This field investigates the intricate genetic and molecular mechanisms that control cell division, differentiation (the process of cells becoming specialized), and morphogenesis (the organization of cells into tissues, organs, and overall body structure). It encompasses the entire lifespan, examining not only embryogenesis but also metamorphosis, regeneration, and the biological processes of aging, to understand how a complete organism is formed and maintained.

1. Introduction to Developmental Biology
   1. Definition and Scope
   2. Historical Perspectives
      1. Preformation Theory
      2. Epigenesis Theory
      3. Germ Plasm Theory
      4. Embryonic Induction Discovery
      5. Organizer Discovery
      6. Modern Molecular Era
   3. Fundamental Questions
      1. Cell Differentiation Mechanisms
      2. Body Pattern Establishment
      3. Organ and Tissue Formation
      4. Growth Regulation
      5. Regeneration Processes
   4. Core Concepts
      1. Differentiation
         1. Basic Definition
         2. Molecular Mechanisms
         3. Terminal Differentiation
         4. Reversibility
      2. Morphogenesis
         1. Definition and Overview
         2. Cellular Behaviors
         3. Tissue Movements
         4. Shape Changes
      3. Growth
         1. Cell Proliferation
         2. Cell Enlargement
         3. Apoptosis
         4. Tissue Remodeling
      4. Pattern Formation
         1. Spatial Patterning
         2. Temporal Patterning
         3. Positional Information
         4. Coordinate Systems
      5. Cell Fate and Potency
         1. Cell Fate Definition
         2. Fate Mapping Techniques
         3. Totipotency
         4. Pluripotency
         5. Multipotency
         6. Unipotency
         7. Fate Restriction
   5. Model Organisms
      1. Selection Criteria
      2. Invertebrate Models
         1. Drosophila melanogaster
            1. Life Cycle
            2. Genetic Tools
            3. Developmental Stages
         2. Caenorhabditis elegans
            1. Cell Lineage Mapping
            2. Genetic Manipulation
            3. Transparency Advantages
         3. Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
            1. Embryonic Development
            2. Experimental Accessibility
            3. Biochemical Studies
      3. Vertebrate Models
         1. Xenopus laevis
            1. Oocyte Manipulation
            2. Embryo Microinjection
            3. Classical Experiments
         2. Danio rerio
            1. Transparent Embryos
            2. Genetic Screens
            3. Live Imaging
         3. Gallus gallus
            1. Embryo Accessibility
            2. Grafting Experiments
            3. Organ Development
         4. Mus musculus
            1. Mammalian Genetics
            2. Transgenic Models
            3. Knockout Studies
      4. Plant Models
         1. Arabidopsis thaliana
            1. Embryogenesis
            2. Genetic Resources
            3. Developmental Mutants
   6. Experimental Techniques
      1. Fate Mapping
         1. Vital Dye Labeling
         2. Genetic Lineage Tracing
         3. Clonal Analysis
      2. Microscopy Methods
         1. Light Microscopy
         2. Fluorescence Microscopy
         3. Confocal Microscopy
         4. Live Cell Imaging
         5. Electron Microscopy
      3. Genetic Approaches
         1. Forward Genetics
         2. Reverse Genetics
         3. Mutagenesis Screens
      4. Molecular Techniques
         1. Transgenesis
         2. Gene Knockout
         3. Gene Knock-in
         4. CRISPR Applications
      5. Gene Expression Analysis
         1. In Situ Hybridization
         2. Whole-Mount Preparations
         3. Section Analysis
         4. Single-Cell Methods
      6. Protein Analysis
         1. Immunocytochemistry
         2. Antibody Labeling
         3. Protein Localization
         4. Western Blotting