This is a hands-on laboratory course in developmental biology for students at College of the Atlantic . The curriculum will mix intensive, hands-on laboratory work with several informal seminars.
Students will learn how to use a microscope to observe embryonic development (what to look for) in order to know what normal development looks like. Then they will learn to recognize environmentally-induced abnormal development, and to do so well enough to come up with an informed hypothesis for what aspect of development is perturbed based on what is covered in lecture .
Students will also learn how to measure gene expression using quantitative RT-PCR in order to test hypotheses.
Students will learn how genetic inheritance controls development and how the environment perturbs development by way of altered gene expression.
- James A. Coffman, Ph.D.Associate Professor; Director, Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)MDI Biological Laboratory
- Chris Petersen, Ph.D.Faculty, Ecology and BiologyCollege of the Atlantic
Monday 3/24 | Tuesday 3/25 | Wednesday 3/26 | Thursday 3/27 | Friday 3/28 | |
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9-12 | Davis Classroom: Complete pre-course survey Course orientation and Lecture 1: Questions and concepts in developmental biology Training Lab: Fertilization; set up cortisol treatments |
Davis Classroom: Lecture 3: Methods in developmental biology Training Lab: Examine 1 day embryos under microscope; collect and freeze 1 day samples for RNA prep |
Cancelled due to blizzard(Jim will freeze 2 day embryo samples for qRT-PCR analysis) | Lab: Extract RNA and prepare cDNA from 1d and 2d embryo samplesExamine and image 3 day embryos | Lab: Examine and image 4 day embryos Q-PCR data analysis |
Noon | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | |
1-5 | Davis Classroom: Lecture 2: Developmental plasticity and programming; overview of zebrafish development Training Lab: Observe early development with stereo microscopes |
Kinne Library: Lecture 4: Bioinformatics Training Lab: Microscopic imaging of embryos |
Run Quantitative PCR | Finish Q-PCR data analysisDiscuss plan for remainder of course (weekly Wed afternoon lectures/discussions at COA) Complete course evaluation |
Students reside off campus.