516-306 Developmental Neurobiology

In 2002: anatomy 516-201; or botany 606-206; or biochemistry 521-211 plus 521-212; or physiology 536-201 plus 536-211; Zoology 654-203 is recommended.

From 2003: anatomy 516-201 plus 516-209.

BBiomedSc students: 521-213 and 536-250.

Prerequisites may be waived by the Head of Department.

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 development of the vertebrate nervous system;

• develop an understanding of modern molecular and cellular 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 axonogenesis, pathfinding, synaptogenesis and cortical development. Factors affecting full brain development, disorders of neurodevelopment, plasticity of the neonatal and adult brain and regeneration in the central nervous system will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on major developmental events such as phenotype commitment, cell migration, differentiation and growth cone guidance. Modern molecular and cellular approaches to understanding these events will be emphasised

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