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Discover the foundations of developmental biology with this up to date and focused resource from two leading experts.
The newly revised Fourth Edition of Essential Developmental Biology delivers the fundamentals of the developmental biology of animals. Designed as a core text for undergraduate students in their first to fourth years, as well as graduate students in their first year, the book is suited to both biologically based and medically oriented courses. The distinguished authors presume no prior knowledge of development, animal structure, or histology.
The new edition incorporates modern single-cell transcriptome sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9, as well as other methods for targeted genetic manipulation. The existing material has also been reorganized to provide for easier reading and learning for students. The book avoids discussions of history and experimental priority and emphasizes instead the modern advances in developmental biology. The authors have kept the text short and laser-focused on the areas truly central to developmental biology.
Readers will benefit from the inclusion of such topics as:
- A thorough discussion of the groundwork of developmental biology, including developmental genetics, cell signalling and commitment, and cell and molecular biology techniques
- An exploration of major model organisms, including Xenopus, the zebrafish, the chick, the mouse, the human, drosophila, and Caenorhabditis elegans
- A treatment of organogenesis, including postnatal development, and the development of the nervous system, mesodermal organs, endodermal organs, and imaginal discs in drosophila
- A final section on growth, evolution, and regeneration
Perfect for undergraduate students, especially those preparing to enter graduate studies in developmental biology, Essential Developmental Biology will also earn a place in the libraries of those in the pharmaceutical industry expected to be able to evaluate assays based on developmental systems and in education.
Preface
Section 1: Groundwork
1 The excitement of developmental biology
2 How development works
3 Approaches to development: developmental genetics
4 Approaches to development: cell signaling and commitment
5 Approaches to development: cell and molecular biology techniques
6 Cells into tissues
Section 2: Major model organisms
7 Model organisms
8 Xenopus
9 The zebrafish
10 The chick
11 The mouse
12 The human
13 Drosophila
14 Caenorhabditis elegans
Section 3: Organogenesis
15 Techniques for studying organogenesis and postnatal development
16 Development of the nervous system
17 Development of mesodermal organs
18 Development of endodermal organs
19 Drosophila imaginal discs
Section 4: Growth, evolution, regeneration
20 Tissue organization and stem cells
21 Growth, aging, and cancer
22 Pluripotent stem cells and their applications
23 Evolution and development
24 Regeneration of missing parts
Glossary
Index
Professor Jonathan Slack has worked in London and Oxford and is currently Head of the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Bath in England. He is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization and a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He is a leading authority in developmental biology and has published over 150 scientific papers, as well as the well-received monograph From Egg to Embryo and the lighthearted and popular Egg and Ego.
Reviews of the Second Edition:
"The second edition is a must have for anyone interested in development biology. New findings in hot fields such as stem cells, regeneration, and aging should make it attractive to a wide readership. Overall, the book is concise, well structured, and illustrated. I can highly recommend it."
– Peter Gruss, Max Planck Society
"I have always found Jonathan Slack's writing thoughtful, provocative, and engaging, and simply fun to read. This effort is no exception. Every student of developmental biology should experience his holistic yet analytical view of the subject."
– Margaret Saha, College of William & Mary
