Developmental Genetics

Developmental genetics is the branch of genetics that studies the development of organisms from single cells to multicellular organisms and the roles that genetic variation plays in the process. The principles of developmental genetics are fundamental to understanding the accurate reproduction of the genetic material in multicellular organisms and how form is shaped by the genetic material. Developmental genetics seeks to understand the mechanisms of gene control and regulation of these interactions between the environment, genetic material, and the stages of development. Research has largely focused on the development of model organisms and how their genetics influence their physical form. One example is the use of genetic mutations in zebrafish to identify pathways during development that may either enhance or disrupt the outcome. Identification of genes involved in the development of different models have been used to identify how and why organisms differ in appearance and/or physiology. More recently, gene expression studies have helped to reveal the coordination of the activities of thousands of genes that drive development from a single cell to a multicellular organism. These large-scale studies of gene expression in developing organisms made it possible to use gene-editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 to identify mutations and manipulate gene expression in developing organisms, which may have profound implications for understanding and treating various diseases. In addition to understanding the genetic basis of development, research in developmental genetics has led to the creation of bioengineered tissues that can be used to study the effects of environmental and genetic factors on development, as well as to develop regenerative therapies. Although the field of developmental genetics is still relatively young, its discoveries have become extremely important in advancing our understanding of how genes and environment work together to shape the complexity of living things.