How the human body develops, normally and abnormally, from the fertilized egg. The goal of the course is to provide students with the morphological background, both conceptual and practical, needed for molecular biology research involving immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, localization of reporter gene expression, and other morphological approaches at the light and electron microscope levels used in current molecular biology. The course begins with training in both light and electron microscopy, including an understanding of the instruments and their use, and also how to prepare specimens. Demonstrations include sessions in which students produce photographs with conventional and fluorescent light microscopes, as well as with transmission and scanning electron microscopes. Confocal light microscopy is the subject of a lecture and demonstration.
Students also gain experience in digital imaging, using computers to work with images.
The next part of the course deals with the localization of proteins and other materials by immunocytochemistry at the light and electron microscope levels. The emphasis is on understanding the rationale behind the various steps in the procedures. The last part of the course is concerned with the localization of mRNA and DNA by in situ hybridization. Focus is on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Format is combination lectures and student presentations of current literature with written summaries.