OVERVIEW

This course addresses advanced topics in the development of the nervous system, from early neural induction to synaptogenesis, across classical and non-conventional animal models. It integrates comparative neuroanatomy, molecular developmental biology and disease-relevant mechanisms. Understanding how the nervous system is built is an essential foundation for interpreting its dysfunction, and therefore for approaching the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders and neurological disease from a biotechnological and biomedical perspective.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that drive nervous system development in various invertebrate and vertebrate animals and in humans.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing students with advanced knowledge of the cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the development of the nervous system in vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms, and at developing the ability to reason experimentally about developmental problems: evaluating competing hypotheses, identifying the most discriminating experimental approaches, and integrating mechanistic knowledge to address novel research scenarios.

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Describe the main stages of nervous system development, from neural induction to synaptogenesis and electrical maturation of neurons, using correct scientific terminology
• Explain the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural patterning, neurogenesis, cortical histogenesis, axon guidance, and synapse formation in vertebrate and invertebrate models
• Compare developmental mechanisms across animal models (insects, nematodes, fish, amphibians, chick, mouse, human) and explain how findings in non-human models can be leveraged to investigate neurodevelopmental processes and develop biotechnological and biomedical applications
• Explain how alterations in developmental mechanisms can generate neurodevelopmental disorders, malformations, and brain cancer
• Integrate knowledge of nervous system development with prior knowledge of cell biology, genetics and physiology to address novel problems
• Evaluate competing experimental strategies for testing hypotheses in developmental neurobiology, identifying the approach that most directly discriminates between alternative mechanistic explanations, and justify the reasoning

Transversal competences:

• Work collaboratively in a small group to analyse an experimental problem, negotiate a shared interpretation and defend it with reasoned arguments (Competenza sociale — livello avanzato)
• Critically evaluate and communicate scientific information, construct well-reasoned arguments, and monitor one's own learning process to address knowledge gaps autonomously (Competenza alfabetica funzionale — livello avanzato; Capacità di imparare a imparare — livello avanzato)

PREREQUISITES

Basic notions of Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, and Developmental Biology.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching consists of 48 hours divided between lectures and laboratory activities. The lectures are carried out with the aid of slideshows. Some of the lectures will be conducted in the form of seminars held by experts in the field.

Two Team-Based Learning (TBL) sessions are included, integrating topics across the course. Students apply mechanistic knowledge to novel experimental scenarios, evaluating competing hypotheses and identifying the most discriminating experimental approaches. Each session includes an individual readiness phase followed by collaborative group problem-solving and class-wide discussion.

Due to emergency situations that prevent face-to-face lessons from being held, it is possible that the lessons will be carried out through the Microsoft Teams platform.

Any student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD Representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liaise and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to comparative neuroanatomy and developmental neurobiology. Overview of the organization of the nervous system across vertebrate and invertebrate groups of biomedical interest.

Neural induction in various animal models. Gastruloids as models for studying early neural induction in vitro.

Anteroposterior and dorsoventral patterning of the central nervous system by embryo-wide morphogen gradients and local organisers, with particular focus on the specification and patterning of the telencephalon.

Spinal cord and axial extension. Neuromesodermal progenitors and the mechanisms of posterior axial extension.

Cranial placodes and their derivatives. Neural crest cells: specification, migration and differentiation. Neurocristopathies.

Neurogenesis and cortical development in mammals. Temporal patterning of progenitor identity and gliogenesis.

Adult neurogenesis in the healthy and damaged mammalian brain.

Axon growth and guidance mechanisms. Target selection. Molecular cues and growth cone dynamics.

Synapse formation. Electrical maturation of the neuron and the synapse. Neurotransmitters as developmental signals.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching materials (slides, scientific articles and reviews) are made available on the AulaWeb page of the course and constitute the primary reference for exam preparation.

The following textbooks can be used as supplementary references:

• Luo - Principles of Neurobiology (2nd ed.), Garland Science
• Bianchi - The Developing Brain and its Connections. CRC Press
• Wolpert, Tickle, Martinez Arias - Principles of Development (6th ed.), Oxford University Press
• Gilbert, Barresi - Developmental Biology (11th ed.), Sinauer Associates Inc.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MATTEO BOZZO (President)

SIMONA CANDIANI (President)

SARA FERRANDO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For the beginning of the lessons consult the website: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral examination comprising 2-3 questions covering the topics of the course. The typical duration is 20–30 minutes. The examination is conducted in English.

For students with DSA certification, disability or other special educational needs, University regulations apply: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilita-normative

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam assesses: accurate knowledge and understanding of the main cellular and molecular mechanisms of nervous system development; correct and autonomous use of scientific terminology; ability to explain and connect mechanisms across topics and animal models; ability to integrate course content with prior knowledge of biology, genetics and physiology; capacity to evaluate experimental approaches and reason about alternative hypotheses; logical structure and clarity of the answer.

Students who demonstrate active and reasoned participation in the Team-Based Learning sessions — contributing sound experimental reasoning and defending their choices with pertinent arguments — will receive a bonus of +1 point on the final grade. The Open Badges for collaborative competence, functional literacy and learning-to-learn (Competenza sociale — livello avanzato; Competenza alfabetica funzionale — livello avanzato; Capacità di imparare a imparare — livello avanzato) will be assigned to students who actively participate in the TBL sessions, as assessed by the lecturer on the basis of the quality of their contribution during group work.

When the minimum requirements are not met, the student is invited to deepen the study before re-sitting the exam; further explanations by the lecturer are available upon request.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For any additional information not included in the unit description, contact the Lecturer.