Genes and
 Development

The development of animals and plants represents the end product of complex gene expression patterns in three-dimensional developmental space and over time. These patterning mechanisms involve signalling systems, in turn regulated by key genes and, in plants in particular, environmental signals. Interestingly, a number of the fundamental concepts and processes of developmental biology are conserved between animals and plants. In this module, which builds upon the second year course in Development, we will focus on the cellular and molecular control mechanisms in specific developmental systems - the animal epidermis and its appendages; Hox genes and embryonic patterning; retinoids, development and disease formation; and signalling pathways, stem cells and patterning in plant development. The module will provide insight into mechanistic and evolutionary aspects of development using information from recent advances in important model experimental systems, and from research carried out in Durham.