300302 UE Practical Course in Developmental Biology (2016W)

Using the cnidarians Hydra and Nematostella, we will perform a selection of experiments in the field of cell- and developmental biology: isolation of RNA, cDNA, PCR, cloning of candidate genes, generation of probes and in situ hybridisation of whole mounts with several genes and different developmental stages. In addition, we will address the function of signalling pathways (FGF, Wnt) during the development of Nematostella using chemical inhibitors, gene expression analysis and antibody stainings. Classical transplantation experiments will demonstrate basic principles of developmental biology such as gradients, activator-inhibitor systems and positional information along a body axis.