Duration
12h Th, 2h Mon. WS
Number of credits
| Bachelor in veterinary medicine | 2 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course gives access to the essentials for understanding the development of the most common domestic animals, from the zygote stage to fetal membranes development. Beyond a purely descriptive part, principles of developmental biology and associated technologies are evoked and illustrated by concrete examples.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The lectures proposed here aim at allowing students to learn about embryonic development, and to get insight into some aspects of modern developmental biology, and associated technologies.
1) Descriptive embryology
The embryonic development from fertilization on until establishment of fetal envelopes. The most common species of domestic mammals and birds are considered, and interspecies differences are also pointed out. Relevant connections with anatomical, histological and physiological data are shown.
A) Gametogenesis
Or gametes formation (ova and spermatozoa) from the primordial germ cell stage.
B) Gametes and fertilization
Or the different stages ending up with the zygote formation, which is the first embryonic stage.
C) Cleavage stages
Or the different division steps leading from the zygote (one cell) to the blastocyst stage.
D) Gastrulation
The embryo proper will undergo a clear cell differentiation in three primordial cell layers, from which all body tissues originate.
E) Extraembryonic membranes
The development of these extra-embryonic tissues allow mechanical protection, feeding, oxygen supply and toxin elimination of the foetus.
2) Modern biology of development, associated techniques and the stem and primordial germ cells revolution
Here are given the essentials of (i) present status of knowledge on stem cells, induced pluripotent cells and primordial germ cells biology and their potential use, and (ii) the most common techniques in use for developmental biology studies. Their potential use as new biotechnological tool in applications such as farm animal improvement, disease resistance, therapeutic proteins production and xenograft supply are discussed based on concrete examples.
A) Transgenesis
Or integration by biotechnological means of (trans)genes in live organisms.
B) Gene targeting
Or precisely directed genome alterations in an organism. The most commonly reported use of gene targeting is gene inactivation by its partial or total elimination (Knock out). This technique can also generate minute insertion or deletions or site-directed integration of transgenes.
C) Cloning
Or genesis of a new organism without sexual reproduction, starting from a more or less differentiated somatic cell.
D) Biology and potential applications of stem and primordial germ cells.
Or description of the origin, particular properties and potential applications of these cells. Somatic cells reprogramming towards pluripotency will be described here.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
The co- and prerequisite teaching units are detailed in the courses program
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The lecture component is taught in person. As for the tutorials, each two-hour session will be primarily devoted to covering key concepts in modern biology and current biotechnological methods.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Lectures and tutorials are held during the second semester, and the exam (first session) takes place during the May/June exam period.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
The course is available in the ad hoc repertoire of e-campus. The recommended readings and references are also mentioned.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Further information:
The assessment will consist of an exam covering the taught material (lectures and tutorials).
The questions will be in the form of multiple-choice questions, and/or short-answer questions and/or open-ended questions and/or diagrams to be labeled.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Professors:
Luc Grobet (coordinator) : lgrobet@uliege.be
Vinciane Toppets : vtoppets@uliege.be
Assistants:
Benoit Vandenhove: B.Vandenhove@uliege.be
Aude Blanquer: Aude.Blanquer@uliege.be
Phone : +32 4 366 40 82
Administrative assistant (absences and certificates):
Nathalie Guillaume:
Nathalie.Guillaume@uliege.be
Phone : +32 4 366 40 75 (secretariat)