Biology 316: Principles of Animal Development

Library/Web research project topics

Outlines: You are requested to tell me your choice of topic by Oct.10 and to provide me with a 1 page outline of your paper by Nov. 4. Outlines are the logical and natural step between doing a lot of reading and thinking, and sitting down to write a research paper. An outline should explicitly state the topic being researched and the specific question(s) being addressed. It should also list in point form the subtopics that will be covered to answer the question(s) being asked. A good outline is a roadmap to your paper; it saves you from getting lost or sidetracked during the writing.

Project presentations will be done in the last two weeks of class. Presentations should use some visual aids to show graphs or diagrams, highlight key points, terms, concepts, etc., and generally help guide the listener through your talk. Powerpoint presentations are recommended but not required.

Papers are due on the Monday of exam week. Papers:

1/ should be 10+ pages long (double-spaced)

2/ be organized into Introduction, Summary/Conclusion and additional sections indicated by subheadings.

3/ should have a minimum of seven references to texts and primary literature

4/ must be written in your own words

5/ must cite and reference articles where appropriate, and minimize use of direct quotations from such articles.

It is very important that you paraphrase all information from all sources, as plagiarism is usually easy to identify, especially from WEB sources, and will be dealt with according to the Honor code. Research papers must be written in your own words, and you must paraphrase all information taken from other sources. Proper scientific writing permits very rare use of direct quotations, specifically when the writer wishes to retain the particular emphasis or eloquence of the original author. I will not tolerate direct quotes as a short cut to paraphrasing; unnecessary or excessive use of direct quotations will be penalized. I also discourage the writing strategy of editing other people's words with minor word substitutions, rearrangements, additions, and deletions. I am a much happier (and more generous) grader when the writing style is obviously the student's. The implication is that after you read something, you must think about it and try to express what is relevant to your paper in your words. The more you combine thoughts and ideas arising from different sources into your retelling of the story, the better. When paraphrasing information from other sources, you must properly cite and reference the articles used. Citing an article means listing the author(s) and year in parentheses, e.g., (Jones and Bentley, 2001), at the end of a sentence or group of sentences that paraphrases that author(s)' work. Referencing an article means listing it alphabetically in a reference list at the end of the paper; all articles must be referenced using a single format that is already used by a developmental biology journal; you can choose which journal to follow.

I strongly discourage the common writing strategy of editing other people's words with minor word substitutions, rearrangements, additions, and deletions. I am a much happier (and more generous) grader when the writing style is obviously the student's. The implication is that after you read something, you must think about it and try to express it in your words. The more you combine thoughts and ideas arising from different sources into your retelling of the story, the better.

The introduction of your paper should contain an outline of the contents and purpose of your essay as stated in the previously submitted outline. Since the course is in developmental biology, remember to keep the focus of your discussion on the developmental mechanisms and concepts involved in your particular topic.

To help you in your library research, check http://www.lib.jmu.edu/biology/ for links to all the biology reference databases available through LEO.

List of project topics: you are free to select your own topic, though you must have it approved by me on or before the date listed above.

Developmental biology

RNA interference: its discovery, mechanisms and uses

The role of microRNAs in the development of a particular organ or body feature; the role of plant microRNAs in mammalian development

Development of left-right asymmetry in animals

Developmental biology and medicine/dentistry

Genetic diseases that affect aging (e.g., Werner’s syndrome) - James

Syndromes that affect neural crest cell migration

Teratogens and congenital defects in humans

Teratomas and teratocarcinomas (spontaneous tumors arising in germ cells): cause and development, use in studying development interactions

Understanding the developmental biology of cancer/tumor growth: the role of one of: oncogenes, hormones, vascularization/angiogenesis

The development and evolution of teeth

The developmental biology of organ growth, repair and remodeling in response to changing use

The role of cell behaviors (cell division, cell enlargement and recruitment of new cells from stem cells) in muscle growth, muscle repair after injury, and muscle building or atrophy in response to changing use - Shane

The mechanisms of bone remodeling and bone repair Ð Lisa and Jon

The mechanisms of neural plasticity including stroke recovery and phantom pain in amputees

Developmental biology and technology: risks/problems, uses/benefits, consequences for society

From cloning and embryonic stem cells to direct conversion of adult cell types: the scientific significance of Dolly

Fetal/postnatal insertion of engineered cell populations

Tissue engineering: developing organs in vitro for implantation or repair of damaged organs

The use of embryonic and somatic stem cells in tissue regeneration/repair

Different ways of generating embryonic stem cells or adult cells without harming the embryo

Developmental biology of reproduction

Which sperm gets the egg? Interactions between sperm and other sperm, egg, and reproductive tract during mammalian fertilization

Assisted reproductive technologies: (fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization and test-tube babies), interspecific surrogate mothers, sperm development/storage outside of the male, frozen storage of ovaries, embryos, etc.

The developmental/selective ovulation basis of Down Syndrome

Developmental biology and the environment

The role of environmental factors in regulating development: teratogenic effects, epigenetic effects - Ryan

The role of bacteria in mammalian gut development

Endocrine disruptors: what are they, how do they work, teratogenic effects, epigenetic effects

Amphibian developmental abnormalities: retinoids versus parasites

Predator-induced morphologies in rotifers, an example of environmentally induced development Ð Richard

Development inside other animals: the developmental biology of endoparasites

Developmental biology and evolution

Role of developmental genetics in understanding the dorsal-ventral axis specification of arthropods and chordates

Pattern formation: the development and evolution of butterfly wings - Ethan

The zootype, phylotypic stage and bauplan concepts: what are they, how are they related to each other, and how useful are they

The developmental basis of the evolution of paired appendages and/or external genitalia in vertebrates

The developmental basis of the evolution of segmentation in arthropods

The role of the neural crest in evolution of the vertebrate head

Viviparity across vertebrates: developmental, morphological and behavioral adaptations

Twinning (polyembryony) across animals - where, how and why has it evolved - Joshua

Development and evolution of mammalian placentas

Development and evolution of radical metamorphoses (echinoderms, nemertean worms) - Dan

Developmental biology and space

Effect of gravity/reduced gravity on embryonic development