Introduction

Development = the change in the structure of an organism over time.

Developmental genetics = the branch of biology that primarily studies how genes control and regulate the changes that occur during development

Developmental genetics studies the initiation and construction of organisms and the techniques used in this field can unravel and help us understand the genetic networks controlling embryogenesis. In other words, its how a single cell develops into a fully formed organism with many different cell types. and how genes are involved in these processes!!

Essentially development begins with fertilisation, and embryonic development is of great interest to biologists. They are interested in the generation of pattern, cell differentiation, morphogenesis, growth, and how different genes function in these processes.

Studying how an organism develops has become essential to understand any other area of biology. Because the study Life begins!of development identifies the functions of genes, it can also show how the problems with these may be implicated in disease.

Developmental biologists, to investigate the processes and genes involved in the development of an organism use animal model systems. Through the use of model organisms it has been discovered that similar genetic pathways control the normal development and growth of all animals. Because organisms appear to share a number of homologous genes controlling development, the observations discovered through use of model organisms can provide useful insights into how these processes may progress in humans.

Human experimentation isn't often used due to it usually being unethical or unfeasible.

News 

BBC – 14/11/08

Chick flicks aid foetus research

Scientists are identifying the most relevant genes in human development using the chick as a model organism. The team at Edinburgh University are using advanced gene mapping techniques to study development, and then apply this knowledge to human disease.

The full story can be found at news.bbc.co.uk

 

BBC – 01/05/08

UK’s first hybrid embryos are created

The permission for these to be created was granted to enable work on medical research. It was in September of 2007 that the ability to create human-animal embryos to contribute towards research.

More can be found in regarding this and the processes involved at news.bbc.co.uk

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