Developmental Biology: COA 2015
A one-week laboratory short course for undergraduate students from College of the Atlantic.
Location: MDI Biological Laboratory (travel information)
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.
Partner
Course Directors
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
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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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 |
Lab: Examine and image 48 hr embryos; collect and freeze 48 hr samples for RNA prep | Lab: Run Quantitative PCR; examine and image 72 hr embryos | Lab: Examine and image 4 day embryos Q-PCR data analysis |
| Noon | Lunch | 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 |
Lab: Prepare RNA and synthesize cDNA from 24 hr and 48 hr samples | Q-PCR data analysis Repeat QPCR if necessary |
Finish Q-PCR data analysisDiscuss plan for remainder of course (weekly Wed afternoon lectures/discussions at COA) Complete course evaluation |
On-campus housing not included with this course.
On-campus housing options may be available for an additional fee. For questions please call 207-288-9880 ext 102.