Developmental Genetics

Developmental genetics is the study of the genetic influences on the development of an organism in its lifetime. It encompasses the entire period of an organism’s growth, from the moment its cells divide to the time it reaches maturity. Developmental genetics covers areas such as gene regulation, organs, tissues and organ systems, morphogenesis, and the evolution of developmental processes. Gene regulation is important for an organism’s proper development and involves the processes of gene expression, which is the process of the genetic code coming to life, and gene activation, which is the turning on of the gene in response to a stimulus. The genetic code contains the information needed to construct the proteins and other molecules required for the development of the organism. Genes are regulated largely by the activation of regulatory proteins, which themselves are regulated by small pieces of genetic material called regulatory regions. Tissues, organs, and organ systems are made up of cells. Cells form complex structures and have specific functions. The development of these structures and functions is directed by the regulated expression of genes in the cells. Morphogenesis is the process by which the shape of an organism is determined. This is an important aspect of development because it provides clues to the functions of organs and tissues that have not yet taken shape. Morphogenesis studies utilize genetic mutants to understand the organization and regulation of gene expression. The evolution of developmental processes is an ongoing field of research. Evolutionary developmental biology helps us understand how organisms evolved over time and how their developmental processes have changed. It utilizes a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and molecular studies. Fundamental to this research is the notion that gene expression and regulation are the machinery underpinning the various steps of normal development. By understanding the genetic language of the organism, we can modify and manipulate gene expression to create better superior organisms.