NSCI 320: Topics in Developmental Neurobiology

Fall Term, 2017

Tuesdays and Thursdays in HSRF 300 or Given C447 | 2:45-4:00pm
Course Co-Directors: Dr. Cynthia Forehand, PhD & Dr. Diane M. Jaworski, PhD

This is an advanced level course for graduate students, and senior Neuroscience majors, with a background in fundamental Neuroscience. The aim of the course is to explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neural development. Foundational learning will be achieved by reading the required textbook Development of the Nervous System (3rd edition, 2012) by DH Sanes, TA Reh and WA Harris (Elsevier ISBM 978-0-12-374539-2) or instructor provided review articles prior to group discussion combined with didactic lectures. Students will then apply their knowledge and hone their oral communication skills during a journal club style presentation of a primary research article. Students will also hone their writing communication skills by writing a News & Views style summary of a primary research article of a neurodevelopmental disorder.

DateTitleLecturer
Aug. 29Course Intro & DevelopmentJaworski
Aug. 31

Neural "Induction" - Proneural Genes

Chapter 1

Forehand
Sept. 5

Polarity and Segmentation 

Chapter 2 

Forehand

Sept. 7

Neurogenesis

Chapter 3 

Jaworski

Sept. 12

Migration

Jaworski
Sept. 14Article: TBDForehand
Sept. 17Discussion
Sept. 19

Determination & Differentiation

Chapter 4 

Jaworski
Sept. 21

Glial Development

Jaworski
Sept. 26

Axon Growth and Guidance

Chapter 5 

Forehand
Sept. 28 

Article: TBD

Jaworski
Oct. 3

Target Selection

Chapter 6

Forehand
Oct. 5

Neuronal Tiling

Forehand
Oct. 10

Myelination

Jaworski
Oct. 12

Article: Science (2017) 356: 406-11 & 11-14

Forehand
Oct. 17

Naturally-occurring Neuron Death

Chapter 7 

Jaworski
Oct. 19

Synaptogenesis

Chapter 8

Jaworski
Oct. 24

Refinement of Synaptic Connections

Chapter 9  

Jaworski
Oct. 26

Article: TBD

Jaworski
Oct. 31Growth FactorsForehand
Nov. 2Activity-dependent PlasticityJaworski
Nov. 7Environment & EpigeneticsJaworski
Nov. 9Article: TBDJaworski
Nov. 14News & Views preparation - NO CLASSNo Class
Nov. 16

Behavioral Development

Chapter 10 

Forehand
Nov. 21-24Thanksgiving BreakNo Class
Nov. 28Maltreatment and EcophenotypeForehand
Nov. 30
Dec. 5Article: TBD
Dec. 7Additional Student Presentation or Topic
Dec 12

Final Exam

HSRF 300 | 1:30-4:30pm