The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Int. J. Dev. Biol. 47: 189 - 192 (2003)

Vol 47, Issue 2-3

Special Issue: Teaching Developmental Biology

Developmental biology in Ecuador: a 30-year teaching experience

Published: 1 January 2003

Eugenia M del Pino

Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador. edelpino@puce.edu.ec

Abstract

Developmental biology has been taught at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, in Quito for 30 years by the author. The experience of teaching development is described within the broader context of science in Latin America. It is recognized that developmental biology is poorly represented in research and teaching in this part of the world. The teaching of developmental biology to Ecuadorian students contributes to their intellectual training, by helping them to integrate concepts derived from various branches of biology. Moreover, the highly conserved molecular mechanisms of development provide extraordinary examples of the unity of biology, and many complex biological processes can be more easily grasped when studying embryos.

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