The growth and excitement of discovery in this field are reflected in the Department of Biology at the University of Virginia, where developmental biology is a major focus of research for several faculty members. Research programs include the study of pattern formation, embryonic induction and tissue morphogenesis, as well as the genetic regulation of neural development, sex determination, plant development, and the developmental regulation of translation and RNA alternative splicing. Even with this diversity of intriguing scientific questions, a common theme among all laboratories is the application of modern molecular genetic approaches to developmental research. Moreover, the substantial overlap that exists among faculty interests and experimental approaches results in extensive interactions among developmental biology researchers both within the Department of Biology and throughout the University of Virginia.
Training includes both formal and informal academic activities.
Faculty collaborate not only to teach a graduate Developmental Biology course that integrates experiments from numerous developmental systems, but also to lead a yearly Colloquium to discuss timely issues in this field. The department routinely hosts outside scientists to present research seminars, including two distinguished lectureships each year in the area of developmental biology. And, research groups that study particular experimental systems, for example, Xenopus and Drosophila , meet routinely to discuss issues of common interest. Applicants who are especially interested in pursuing research in Developmental Biology should browse through the web site for UVA's recently established interdisciplinary program in Developmental Biology . This exciting new Ph.D. admissions program offers students the opportunity to identify thesis advisors from an even larger number of developmental biologists throughout the University.