From a Single Cell to a Complex Life Form

From a single cell to a complete, living organism—how does nature pull it off? This talk explores the wild world of developmental biology.

From a Single Cell to a Complex Life Form: Unraveling the Mysteries of Developmental Biology

One of nature’s greatest wonders is the transformation of a single fertilised egg into a complete, intricately organised, and fully functioning organism. Developmental biology is the scientific field dedicated to uncovering how this amazing transformation occurs through the interplay of genes, hormones, physical forces, and more.

What can alien-looking mutants and two-headed frogs teach us about how our own bodies take shape?

How is the animal strategy for development different from the plant one, and how can we benefit from this?

How far are we from growing injured organs and curing cancer?

In this talk, we’ll explore some of the most captivating discoveries and ongoing challenges in the field, as we delve into one of life’s greatest mysteries.

Dr. Josef Capua is a plant developmental geneticist exploring how genes and hormones interact to shape plant form and structure. Using tools from classical Mendelian genetics to advanced genome editing, he investigates the mechanisms behind plant architecture—and invites you to discover the cutting edge of modern biology.