Developmental biology includes production of gametes, fertilization, development of the embryo, emergence of the adult organism, senescence, and death. Developmental biologists in the department attempt to understand the molecular, genetic, cellular, and integrative aspects of building an organism. Faculty in developmental biology address mechanisms underlying plant, animal and fungal development. They ask how development changed during evolution. They use genomics, biochemistry, microscopy, genetics, and other tools to explore development in a number of model organisms. The breadth of research in development in the Biology Department provides students with an excellent perspective of this highly dynamic discipline in biology.