Lecture 1 - Overview of Key Processes and Concepts in Development. Experimental Approaches; Model Organisms Flashcards
what are some aspects of regulation at the cellular level?
-acquisition of polarity
-control of cell division
-control of cell size and shape
-cell movement and adhesion
-responses to external stimuli
-communication between cells
what is the genetic basis?
Genes specify the developmental blueprint
Some genes control development:
e.g. some transcription factors determine cell commitment and organogenesis
Some genes are expressed as a consequence of a developmental change
how do we control development?
The expression of many genes is regulated e.g. in specific cell types, at particular times in development, or in response to external stimuli: differential gene expression
what do we need to do to understand how development is controlled?
establish how processes involved in
development are regulated within cells
identify genes controlling development
and determine the functions of the
proteins they encode
determine how expression of genes
controlling development is regulated
what does a gene / protein sequence provide?
information on cellular function
how are model organisms selected?
Selected for their suitability for the molecular genetic approach
The combination of excellent genetics the advantages for molecular biology has determined the selection of model organisms
what are examples of model organisms?
-yeast
-zebra fish
-mouse
-arabidopsis
- Drosophila
- Caenorhabditis
what are advantages of model organism for genetics?
- small and easy to grow
-rapid generation time
-lots of progeny from each individual
-preferably self fertile and able to be crossed
-easy to produce mutants
what advantages do they give to molecular biology?
-small genome = enables full genome sequence to be obtained and helps gene isolation
- Methods for isolating genes corresponding
to mutants
-easy to genetically transform
what are the properties of a C.elegans
Small bacteriovorous nematode
Simple development programme: lineages of
cells
Usually self-fertilising hermaphrodites
Life cycle ~3 days
Easy to produce mutants
Genome fully sequenced
what are the properties of Drosophila melanogaster?
Fruit fly
Studies on e.g. control of segmentation in larvae
Male and female flies
Life cycle ~2 weeks
Easy to produce mutants
Genome fully sequenced
what are the properties of Arabidopsis thaliana?
Small flowering plant
Self- and cross-fertile
Life cycle ~6 weeks
Easy to produce mutants
Genome fully sequenced
Very easy to genetically transform
how do we determine gene function?
1 - isolate the mutant in the selected process
2 - identify a gene that has become mutated
3 - draw conclusions on gene function
