From the moment a sperm cell interacts with an egg, new life begins to organize itself, turning two haploid gametes into a new individual. We will ask questions that include: How do sperm and egg form? How do sperm find an egg? How does an embryo establish polarity? How do cells with identical DNA choose radically different fates within hours? This course explores the molecular, cellular, and developmental events that occur to produce two unique gametes and what happens when two gametes fuse and become a multicellular embryo. Using several different non-human model organisms, including plants, nematode worms, fruit flies, and zebrafish, we will investigate the mechanisms of fertilization, from gametogenesis to sperm-egg recognition, fusion, and the activation of embryonic development and prevention of polyspermy. We will then focus on early embryogenesis, covering early cleavage patterns and axis formation through the blastula stage across diverse organismal taxa. This course incorporates lectures to introduce new material, seminar-style discussions of primary literature, and student-led presentations throughout the semester.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 12

Prerequisites: Any 2 of the following - BISC 216, BIOC 219/BISC 219, BIOC 220/BISC 220, BIOC 223/CHEM 223, BIOC 227/CHEM 227, or permission of instructor.

Distribution Requirements: NPS - Natural and Physical Sciences

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: