Embryology

Undergraduate / Graduate

How do animals make eggs, and how to eggs make animals? How will a changing climate affect these processes? The most diverse group of animals in our oceans is the invertebrates. In this course, students will learn broad concepts in animal reproduction and development, from a biomedical, evolutionary, and climate perspective. Topics will include oogenesis, meiosis, fertilization, early development, and germ line specification, covered through morning lectures and journal club discussions of research papers. We will approach these topics through a cell biological and gene regulatory lens. In the lab, we will primarily work with the bat star Patiria miniata, but also with local sea urchin species that we will collect locally from Vineyard Sound (weather and spawning season permitting). Students will learn essential cell biological and embryological techniques including gamete and embryo/larval culture, staining, microinjection, live imaging, and cutting-edge approaches in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Students will conduct independent embryology projects focusing on marine invertebrate reproduction and embryogenesis.