Developmental Biology

1. Key Concepts in Developmental Biology
   1. Growth and Development
      1. Cell division and proliferation
         1. Mitotic mechanisms
         2. Regulation of cell cycle
         3. Control of cell number and size
      2. Growth factors and hormones
         1. Role in stimulating cell growth
         2. Key signaling pathways involved
      3. Tissue and organ growth
         1. Allometric growth patterns
         2. Coordination of growth rates
   2. Differentiation and Morphogenesis
      1. Cellular differentiation
         1. Epigenetic influences on differentiation
         2. Lineage commitment and specification
         3. Role of transcription factors
      2. Morphogen gradients
         1. Concept of morphogens and positional information
         2. Classic examples: Sonic hedgehog, BMPs
      3. Patterning mechanisms
         1. Formation of body axes
         2. Symmetry and asymmetry in development
         3. Regional specialization
   3. Regeneration
      1. Mechanisms of regeneration
         1. Cellular dedifferentiation and reprogramming
         2. Stem cell activation in regeneration
      2. Examples in different organisms
         1. Regeneration in planarians, amphibians, and mammals
         2. Limb regeneration in specific species
      3. Implications for regenerative medicine
         1. Translating natural regeneration to therapeutic applications
         2. Challenges in human tissue regeneration
   4. Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
      1. Evolution of developmental processes
         1. Comparative embryology
         2. Conservation and divergence in developmental pathways
      2. Genetic basis of morphological innovation
         1. Modularity and phenotypic plasticity
         2. Co-option of genetic pathways
      3. Developmental constraints and evolution
         1. Role of developmental constraints on the evolution of form
         2. How developmental pathways can influence evolutionary trajectories