516-306 Developmental Neurobiology

Anatomy 516-201 plus 516-209.

BBiomedSc students: 521-213 and 536-250.

On completion of this subject, students should:

• appreciate the major processes involved in the development of the nervous system, including neural induction, neural patterning, neural and glial cell proliferation, determination of neural fate, neuronal migration, axon guidance, regulation of neuron survival and synaptogenesis;

• have gained some insights into the cellular and molecular basis of those processes and understand how disorders in developmental processes can lead to neural defects;

• be aware of the regenerative ability of the nervous system and the prospects for therapeutic treatment of neural injury and disease;

• be familiar with outstanding questions currently being addressed in research in neural development; and

• be familiar with modern experimental approaches used to investigate the development of the nervous system and appreciate their strengths and limitations.

This subject will help students develop the following generic skills:

• critical analysis of scientific research papers;

• literature searching skills;

• capacity for independent critical thought, rational enquiry and self-directed learning;

• ability to plan work and use time effectively; and

• ability to sythesise apparently disparate types of knowledge.

A 45-minute written class test during the semester (15%); a 2000 word essay due during the semester (20%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (65%).

• Kandel, Schwartz and Jessell, Principles of Neural Science. 4th ed.
  or
  B Sanes et al, Development of the Nervous System. 2nd ed, 2006.