516-306 Developmental Neurobiology

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Either botany 606-206 or biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 plus 521-212 (Prior to 1997: 521-201).

For BBiomedSc students, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-213 plus Physiology 526-250.

Prerequisites may be waived by the head of department.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of the subject students should:

• comprehend the terminology of developmental neuroscience; the organisation, both molecular and cellular, of developing nervous tissue; the molecular and cellular events leading to the formation and early development of the vertebrate nervous system;

• develop an understanding of modern molecular approaches to questions concerning neural development; and skills to critically analyse and report on research papers in developmental neurobiology;

• appreciate the major questions currently being addressed in developmental neurobiology research; the extent and limitations of research in developmental neurobiology; and the future direction of research concerned with understanding the development of the nervous system.

This subject will deal with topics ranging from the early events leading to the induction of the neuroectoderm through to axonongenesis, pathfinding, synoptogenesis and cortical development. Factors affecting full brain development and disorders of neurodevelopment will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on major developmental events such as phenotype commitment, cell migration, differentiation and growth cone guidance. Emphasis will be placed on modern molecular and cellular approaches to understanding these events.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination and two critical reviews of scientific papers.