Textbook of Developmental Biology: Laboratory Techniques and Experimental Approaches

This book provides an in-depth exploration of the key concepts in developmental biology, offering a clear understanding of embryonic development. It explains frogs' complex developmental stages, from cleavage to tadpole stages, both externally and internally through diagrams, microscopic and pictorial images of permanent slides. Likewise, the exploration extends to chick embryos, carefully scrutinizing stages categorized by the Hamburger and Hamilton classification, providing information on advanced developmental milestones during incubation times. Moreover, the book provides a firsthand glimpse into the dynamic processes of embryogenesis by demonstrating chick embryo culture from fertilized eggs through pictures and videos. Furthermore, by observing the real time pictures of life cycle and developmental phases of Drosophila, Zebrafish, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Spodoptera litura which are cultivated from stock cultures, readers will obtain important knowledge on genetic and morphological changes. Moreover, detailed sections of the placenta, depicted through photomicrographs and slides, enrich the understanding of mammalian development. 

This book is a useful resource for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in Life Sciences, as well as for teaching and research. It offers a comprehensive understanding of developmental processes and provides straightforward methods for maintaining model organisms in the laboratory for further exploration.

Prof. Alok Chandra Bharti, a Banaras Hindu University doctorate with 29 years’ experience in molecular oncology, conducted pioneering research at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas, on NF-κB and STAT3 in carcinogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutic targeting. Currently serving as professor at the Uni. of Delhi, Dr. Bharti held a Senior Scientist role at ICMR’s National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research for 12 years. He has published 104 international peer-reviewed papers and 20 book chapters, guided 19 Ph.D. students. His work focuses on developing affordable diagnostics for HPV-associated cancers and advancing research on cervical cancer stem cells, particularly in identifying circulating tumor cells as diagnostic markers. In 2008, he was nominated advisor to the WHO-HPV Laboratory Network. Prof. Bharti’s accolades include the INSA Medal for Young Scientist (2009) and Senior Research Fellowships from ICMR and INSA (2012, 2018). He has the expertise in working with mouse and chick embryo models.

Dr. Anna Senrung is a faculty in the Dept. of Zoology at Daulat Ram College (DRC), Uni. of Delhi, with over 11 years of teaching and research experience. An active researcher, Dr. Senrung specializes in angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment of Glioblastoma, utilizing chick embryos as a model system, and has authored four publications on chick embryo studies and culture apart from other publications in national and international journals as well as in conference proceedings. Dr. Senrung actively mentors students at DRC in cancer research techniques and in silico drug discovery. Dr. Senrung has also contributed as a resource person for Chick embryo culture for in-house as well as external workshops. Beyond academics and research, during her tenure as the Nodal officer of the NE Cell at DRC, she organized programs supported by the Ministry of DoNER, ICPR and the P. A. Sangma Foundation, Meghalaya.

Dr. Ashok Kumar has been a tenured Else and Philip Hargrove Endowed Professor of Drug Discovery at the Uni. of Houston (UH) since 2019. With over 32 years of research and teaching experience, he is the founding Director of UH’s Institute of Muscle Biology and Cachexia. Prior to joining UH, Dr. Kumar served as a Professor and Distinguished Uni. Scholar in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology at the Uni. of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Kumar’s research has made significant contributions to biomedical science, notably identifying TWEAK as a key cytokine involved in muscle wasting. He has elucidated the roles of major signaling molecules, including TRAF6, TAK1, IRE1, PERK, and MyD88, in regulating skeletal muscle mass and cancer cachexia. His research program extensively employs nude, knockout, and transgenic mouse models. Dr. Kumar has authored 120+ peer-reviewed publications, mentored over 60 students, postdocs, and junior faculty, and regularly reviews for 70+ journals and major funding agencies, including the NIH.

Dr. Gautam Sethi is an Associate Prof. in the Dept. of Pharmacology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National Uni. of Singapore. His research primarily explores the mechanisms by which carcinogens and inflammatory agents activate oncogenic transcription factors, aiming to identify novel inhibitors for cancer prevention and treatment using diverse model systems. His work has led to 500+ scientific publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, Dr. Sethi contributes to the scientific community as an editorial board member and ad-hoc reviewer for numerous prestigious international journals, supporting advancements in pharmacology and cancer research. He is highly regarded globally, consistently recognized as one of the world’s most-cited scientists, and was named among Clarivate's Highly Cited Researchers™ in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, he has been featured in Stanford Uni. World’s Top 2% Scientists List for 2020-2025 in oncology and carcinogenesis.