Morphogenesis of Developmental Systems

9 units (3-0-6) | second term

This course explores how cells, tissues, and organs acquire their shape, with a focus on the role of mechanical forces in cell shape changes, migration, and adhesion dynamics. Key topics include chemotaxis, collective cell movement, and the interplay between adhesion and deadhesion during migration. The course will also examine the connection between cell migration and metastasis, as well as fundamental signaling principles in embryonic development across invertebrate and vertebrate species. Students will apply their learning by developing a grant proposal on a topic related to the course material as their term project. Not offered 2026-27.