Mary Eunice Elizabeth Yra BSPS3B

BBIO115
2nd Semester
A.Y. 2022 – 2023

1.3.2.1 IMPACT FACTOR

Developmental Biology is proposed as "the stem cell of biological disciplines.”

Defend this argument by citing at least 4 disciplines which have their roots
originating from a developmental perspective.

Understanding the composition and behavior of cells as well as how these cells
cooperate to form an organism are the fundamental aims that bind the vast range of
disciplines and technologies that make up developmental biology. These disciplines
include:

Systems Biology
Systems biology, which regards biology as an informational science and aims to
understand the behavior of biological systems as a whole, is an experimental and
theoretical framework. The great complexity of developmental processes, in particular,
drives the adoption of integrative and systematic studies to glean biological knowledge.
The process of embryogenesis, which aims to comprehend the development of an
organism, provides a remarkable potential and challenge for the use of systems biology.
Numerous facets of development, from intricate intracellular networks to 4D models of
organogenesis, have previously been effectively studied using systems techniques.

Neurobiology
The fact that biology is not fate is one of the most significant discoveries to come
from neurobiology. Experience has a much greater influence than previously thought on
the mind, brain, and even gene expression, according to neuroscience. This
understanding is crucial for developing theories in cognitive development, where
arguments over the relative relevance of nature and nurture have raged for years.
Additionally, the complicated, dynamic process of neurodevelopment comprises a well
planned series of physical, physiological, genetic, and environmental occurrences. Our
understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways throughout neurodevelopment has
been affected by developmental biology and genetics. According to recent research,
physical forces are crucial in transforming these cellular processes into the intricate
surface morphology of the human brain.

Immunology
One of the most astonishing processes in biology is the growth of a fertilized egg
into a complex, adult creature with varied cell types, tissues, and organs. The area of
developmental biology attempts to understand the principles governing this extraordinary
process. In order to do this, developmental biologists use on methods created in the fields
of genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology as well as theories gained
from research on signal transduction, cell motility, and gene expression, among other
topics. There is overlap between the fields of developmental biology and topics like
cancer biology since many human diseases, including cancer, are actually diseases of
normal development gone wrong. The creation of more effective neonatal and infant
vaccinations is affected by recent advances in the realm of innate immunity, with a focus
on developmental expression in the fetus, newborn, and baby.

Genetics
Roadmaps given by genes, such as mechanical stimulation, environmental
temperature, and contact with chemical compounds created by other species—often
species from whole other kingdoms—help developmental processes create structures. In
addition to the fact that genes do not create structures (the phenotype), new
characteristics and mechanisms also appear during embryonic development. For
example, genes are regulated differently in various cells and locations, groups of related
cells provide the cellular resources from which tissues and organs arise, populations of
diversely differentiated cells interact to direct development along specific tracks, and
organisms interact with their environment to find their niche.

Developmental biology is deeply embedded in the social issues of our times. In

what ways have the study and methods of Developmental Biology impact upon
modern human society? Discuss at least 4 examples.

Our lives are impacted by developmental biology in various ways. The

management of fertility and infertility is one of the most important issues pertaining to our
existence and the survival of our species. Our ability to manage conception and boost
fertility is aided by our understanding of the oestrous cycle, the development of sexual
organs, and the gametes. More advancements in society and in human existence are
made possible by the various studies being conducted in this area. Several
methods/discoveries in developmental biology include:

Surrogacy
A person carries and gives birth to a child on behalf of another person in a
surrogacy arrangement. The surrogate is typically not the child's biological parent. It uses
an embryo from either the donor or the intended parent. The process of becoming a
surrogate is quite complicated, thus it's critical that everyone involved receive counseling.
It completes families, enables genetic links, and forges relationships. Surrogacy does,
however, bring up moral dilemmas like consent and medical advocacy. Surrogacy is
greatly influenced by a variety of socioeconomic issues, including unemployment, literacy,
and others. Surrogacy is a public health issue that is linked to increased medical costs,
deteriorating sex ratios, female feticide, domestic abuse, and other issues.

Antibiotics
Medicines known as antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections in both
humans and animals. They function by eradicating the germs or by making it difficult for
the bacteria to proliferate and flourish. Via damaging microbial structures or processes
that don't exist in human cells, antibiotics kill by selective toxicity. Theories of antibiosis,
in which humans use compounds that microorganisms produce in competition with one
another for resources and space, are what motivate their creation. The use of antibiotics
as selectable markers in recombinant DNA technology gives it importance in
developmental biology. Recombinant DNA technology involves modifying genetic
material from outside the organism to give it desired or improved traits. The cloning
vectors, which include genes for proteins that produce antibiotics, also contain the
selectable markers.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell treatment, commonly referred to as regenerative medicine, uses stem
cells or their byproducts to encourage the repair response of sick, malfunctioning, or
wounded tissue. It is the next step in the transplantation of organs, replacing donor
organs—which are scarce—with cells. Researchers can study the impact of pollution on
human health with the help of stem cells. According to a new study in the Journal of
Environmental Sciences (JES), embryonic stem cells might be used as a model to quickly
and affordably assess the physiological impacts of environmental contaminants. The
infinite differentiation potential of iPSCs, which may be employed in human cloning and
pose a danger for the creation of human embryos and human-animal chimeras, is the
subject of contemporary ethical debates surrounding stem cell-based therapies.

Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a branch of medicine that focuses on altering a cell's genetic
makeup to have a therapeutic impact or to treat a disease by replacing or repairing
damaged genetic material. Certain hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency, hemophilia, beta thalassemia, and sickle cell disease may one day
be prevented, treated, or even cured with the use of genetic therapy. Infections like HIV
as well as malignancies may be treated with them too. However, it also presents threats
to future generations in addition to patients. Germline gene therapy poses complex ethical
issues including eugenics, parental control over offspring, human nature manipulation,
and the enhancement of human qualities.

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