The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent experimental system for studying how cell division and differentiation events are orchestrated in the context of a developing animal. A set of master regulatory genes, so calle ‘heterochronic genes’, have been identified in C. elegans whose activity changes as the worm progresses through larval development. The various heterochronic genes encode transcription factors, microRNAs, RNA binding proteins, and other proteins and noncoding RNAs that comprise a developmentally dynamic regulatory network that controls the timing of cell fate transitions throughout the animal. Many of the C. elegans heterochronic genes, and in some cases the regulatory interactions amongst them, are conserved in mammals, including humans. Mutations in C. elegans heterochronic genes cause stage-specific developmental events to be expressed with incorrect timing. We are particularly intrigued by the robustness with which this network normally operates, since developmental events occur with precise and invariant timing in the wild type, regardless of environmental and physiological stresses experienced by the free-living larva. By contrast, the developmental timing phenotypes of heterochronic mutants are often dramatically modified by those same everyday stresses, indicating roles for the corresponding genes in conferring developmental robustness. I will report on recent findings from our explorations of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the robust control of developmental timing by heterochronic genes.

Institut Curie and Sorbonne Université organize their 14th International Developmental Biology course.

The aim of the program is to provide the participants a comprehensive coverage of the paradigms, problems and technologies of modern Developmental Biology paying particular attention to stem cells.

Training in theoretical and experimental aspects of normal and abnormal development is developed through a variety of embryonic systems using state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodology.

The program is proposed in two versions (more information available soon) so there will be two registration deadlines:

Long version (3,5 weeks, w/ practicals at Sorbonne University & Seminars at Institut Curie) : July 15th
Short Version (10 days, Seminars at Institut Curie) : September 4th

Important information: people who need a visa have to apply by June 15th

L'objectif de ce cours est de fournir une vue d'ensemble pratique et actualisée des dernières recherches et des développements cliniques dans le domaine du cancer urothélial, y compris les cancers de la vessie invasifs et non invasifs sur le plan musculaire, les carcinomes urothéliaux des voies urinaires supérieures et leurs métastases. Ce faisant, nous visons à : a) promouvoir une compréhension consensuelle des stratégies optimales actuelles de traitement de ces maladies, b) fournir des connaissances pratiques et une perspective clinique des maladies et de leur traitement, c) promouvoir une meilleure compréhension mécaniste des maladies et des méthodologies utilisées pour les étudier, et d) fournir une perspective industrielle pour partager la façon dont les nouveaux traitements sont développés.