One of the greatest challenges instructors face is getting students to connect with the subject in a manner that encourages them to learn. In this essay, we describe the redesign of our Developmental Biology course to foster a deeper connection between students and the field of developmental biology. In our approach, we created a community of scientific practice focused on the investigation of environmental impacts on embryonic development and informed by popular and scientific media, the students' own questions, and the instructor. Our goals were to engage students in meaningful ways with the material, to develop students' science process skills, and to enhance students' understanding of broad principles of developmental biology. Though significant challenges arose during implementation, assessments indicate using this approach to teach undergraduate developmental biology was successful.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1187/cbe.07-06-0044 | DOI Listing |
Genes Genomics
January 2025
Plant Molecular Breeding and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh.
Background: TCP proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that play essential roles in various developmental processes, including leaf morphogenesis and senescence, flowering, lateral branching, hormone crosstalk, and stress responses. However, a comprehensive analysis of genome-wide TCP genes and their expression patterns in melon is yet to be done.
Objective: The present study aims to identify and analyze the TCP genes in the melon genome and understand their putative functions.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
Many cellular patterns exhibit a reaction-diffusion component, suggesting that Turing instability may contribute to pattern formation. However, biological gene-regulatory pathways are more complex than simple Turing activator-inhibitor models and generally do not require fine-tuning of parameters as dictated by the Turing conditions. To address these issues, we employ random matrix theory to analyze the Jacobian matrices of larger networks with robust statistical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 26 Heping Road, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang, China.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder affecting women of childbearing age, and we aimed to reveal its underlying molecular mechanisms. Gene expression profiles from GSE138518 and GSE155489, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from PRJNA600740 were collected and subjected to bioinformatics analysis to identify the complex molecular mechanisms of PCOS. The expression of genes was detected by RT-qPCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBone Res
January 2025
Department of Endodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
Craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD), a rare craniotubular disorder, occurs in an autosomal dominant (AD) or autosomal recessive (AR) form. CMD is characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones and metaphyseal flaring of long bones. Many patients with CMD suffer from neurological symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrends Neurosci
January 2025
Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. Electronic address:
The evolution of vertebrates from protochordate ancestors marked the beginning of the gradual transition to predatory lifestyles. Enabled by the acquisition of multipotent neural crest and cranial placode cell populations, vertebrates developed an elaborate peripheral nervous system, equipped with paired sense organs, which aided in adaptive behaviors and ultimately, successful colonization of diverse environmental niches. Underpinning the enduring success of vertebrates is the highly adaptable nature of the peripheral nervous system, which is enabled by the exceptional malleability of the neural crest and placode developmental programs.
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