Evo Devo Fall2011
EEB 5333, Fall 2011
Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Meeting Time: Tuesdays , 2-3:15 pm in TLS 301 and Thursdays, 2-3:15 in the Bamford Room (TLS171B)
Contents
- 1 Description
- 2 Instructors
- 3 Expectations and Grading
- 4 Topics and Readings
- 4.1 Aug. 30-Sept 1: Overview of evolutionary developmental biology
- 4.2 Sept. 6-8: The molecular building blocks of development
- 4.3 Sept. 13-15: Small RNAs: another layer of gene regulation
- 4.4 Sept. 20-22: Development and homoplasy
- 4.5 Sept. 27-29: Development and homology
- 4.6 Oct. 4-6: Evolution of developmental networks
- 4.7 Oct. 11-13: Developmental constraints and evolution
- 4.8 Oct. 18-20: Developmental modules
- 4.9 Oct. 25-27: Robustness and canalization
- 4.10 Nov. 2-4: Evolvability
- 4.11 Nov. 9-11: Novelty
- 4.12 Nov. 16-18: Morphospace
- 4.13 Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
- 4.14 Nov. 29-Dec. 1: EcoEvoDevo
Description
This is an advanced course that explores the interface between evolutionary biology and developmental biology. In addition to considering how developmental pathways evolve, and the developmental basis of phenotypic evolution, we will ask what novel insights emerge from a synthesis of these fields. Major topics to be considered include the following: developmental constraints, homology, plasticity, novelty and evolvability.
Instructors
Dr. Elizabeth Jockusch
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 305B
Phone: (860) 486-4452
Office hours: by appointment
Dr. Carl Schlichting
Office: Torrey Life Sciences 366
Phone: (860) 486-4056
Office hours: by appointment
Expectations and Grading
This course has a mixed lecture/discussion format. In general, Tuesdays will be used for lectures that provide an overview and background information. Thursdays will be dedicated to student-led discussion based on reading from the literature. We expect everyone to participate actively in the class. In order to help prepare for discussions, you should write a brief (<1 page) reaction piece to each set of readings, highlighting your thoughts about the readings, connections between them or questions raised by them. This will be handed in each week. Responsibility for leading the discussions will rotate. You are required to complete an independent project on a topic of your choice. Appropriate topics will integrate diverse data types or theoretical models and empirical information, and allow you to explore a particular example or concept in greater depth. You should discuss your choice of topics with one of us no later than Friday, October 28. The last week of class will be devoted to presentations and discussions based on these projects. You will be in charge of assigning a paper relevant to your presentation. There will be one take-home exam due the day of the Final Exam. It will consist of one or several essay questions that will ask you to integrate the knowledge that you have acquired during the course.
Deadlines
Weekly | Discussion pieces |
Friday, Oct. 28 | Term paper topic approved |
Thursday, Dec. 1 | Independent project paper due |
Dec. 6-8 | Independent project presentations |
Tuesday, Dec. 13 | Final exam due |
Course grade
Discussions | 35%, including participation, leading discussion, and reaction pieces |
Individual project | 40%, based on presentation (15%) and paper (25%) |
Final exam | 25% |
Topics and Readings
Aug. 30-Sept 1: Overview of evolutionary developmental biology
Discussion Readings
- Brakefield PM. 2011. Evodevo and accounting for Darwin's endless forms. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 366: 2069-75 link
- Müller GB. 2007. Evo-devo: extending the evolutionary synthesis. Nat Rev Genet. 8(12):943-9 link
- Wray GA. 2010. Embryos and evolution: 150 years of reciprocal illumination. Pp. 215-239 In Bell MA, Futuyma DJ, Eanes WF, Levinton JS, Evolution since Darwin: The First 150 Years. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland MA. [will be distributed in lecture]
Sept. 6-8: The molecular building blocks of development
Sept. 13-15: Small RNAs: another layer of gene regulation
Sept. 20-22: Development and homoplasy
Sept. 27-29: Development and homology
Oct. 4-6: Evolution of developmental networks
Oct. 11-13: Developmental constraints and evolution
Oct. 18-20: Developmental modules
Oct. 25-27: Robustness and canalization
Nov. 2-4: Evolvability
Nov. 9-11: Novelty
Nov. 16-18: Morphospace
Nov. 22-24: Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29-Dec. 1: EcoEvoDevo
===Dec. 6-Dec. 8: Project presentations===