Developmental Biology Talking Points

Fundamental discoveries in developmental biology and their impact on biomedical research

These talking points were created by Richard Behringer in order to highlight key discoveries in developmental biology that have had major impacts in biomedical research. The goal of these cards is to spark and facilitate conversation about how these key discoveries have led to great advancements in our understanding of modern biology. 

Each card lists the principle concept and its enabling discovery. The Society for Developmental Biology is making these talking points freely available to inform people inside and outside the field. Users have permission to modify them for educational purposes.





Cell reprogramming

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Gurdon 1962. PMID: 13951335. Oocyte image by Brandy Walker and Amaya Moss (Rachel Miller Lab). Tadpole line drawing from Xenbase.

In Situ Hybridization

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Gall and Pardue, 1969; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.63.2.378. Frog image by Brandy Walker (Rachel Miller Lab)

Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Kleinsmith and Pierce, 1964; PMID: 14234000. Mouse image from Wikipedia. 
Micro RNA

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Lee et al., 1993; doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(93)90529-y. Whiteman et al., 1993; doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(93)90530-4. Worm image by Tokiko Furuta (Swathi Arur Lab).

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Gordon et al., 1980; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.77.12.7380. Mouse image from Wikipedia; zygote injection image from Abe et al., 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107653.

Apoptosis

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Ellis and Horvitz, 1986; DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(86)90004-8. Worm image by Tokiko Furuta (Swathi Arur Lab).

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Greenburg and Hay, 1982; doi: 10.1083/jcb.95.1.333. Chick embryo image by Debra Cebra-Thomas.

RNA Vaccines

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Lane et al., 1971; DOI: 10.1016/0022-2836(71)90207-5. Images by Brandy Walker and Amaya Moss (Rachel Miller Lab).

Fluorescent Proteins

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Chalfie et al., 1994; doi: 10.1126/science.8303295. Worm image by Tokiko Furuta (Swathi Arur Lab). Fluorescent image from Martin Chalfie.

RNA Interference

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Fire et al., 1998; doi: 10.1038/35888. Worm image by Tokiko Furuta (Swathi Arur Lab). 

Cell Cycle

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Evans et al., 1983; doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(83)90420-8. Arbacia punctulata image from Wikipedia; sea urchin egg image by Athula Wikramanayake.

Cancer

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Ellisen et al., 1991, doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(91)90111-b.; Hahn et al., 1996, doi: 10.1074/jbc.271.21.12125.. Johnson et al., 1996, doi: 10.1126/science.272.5268.1668. Tapon et al., 2002, doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(02)00824-3. Hippo image from Johnson and Halder, 2013, doi: 10.1038/nrd4161. Hedgehog image from Casci 2001, doi.org/10.1038/35066011. Notch image from DOI:10.1242/bio.20121172