华盛顿大学的发育，再生和干细胞生物学计划为学生提供了机会，可以研究各种模型系统中发育的基本问题。该计划的学生和教职员工采用遗传，细胞学，免疫学，显微外科和生化方法相结合的方法阐明了发育过程的分子机制。选择进行调查的生物的复杂性差异很大。一些学生研究诸如酵母或粘液霉菌之类的简单生物的发育，希望可能更容易追踪单细胞生物从基因型到分化表型的发育途径。其他人选择研究果蝇或线虫的发育，因为可以相对容易和快速地鉴定和研究基因和基因产物。另外，由于这些复杂的发育系统提出了智力挑战，人们希望为解决人类问题（例如第三者的癌
he Developmental, Regenerative & Stem Cell Biology Program at Washington University provides students with opportunities to examine fundamental problems of development in a wide range of model systems. Students and faculty in the Program employ a combination of genetic, cytological, immunological, microsurgical and biochemical approaches in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying developmental processes. The organisms chosen for investigation vary enormously in their complexity. Some students study development in simple organisms such as yeasts or slime molds in the hope that it may be easier to trace the developmental pathway that leads from genotype to a differentiated phenotype with single-celled organisms. Others choose to study development in fruit flies or nematodes because of the relative ease and speed with which the genes and gene products may be identified and studied. In addition, several laboratories study development in larger organisms - such as vertebrates or higher plants - either because of the intellectual challenge presented by these complex developmental systems, the desire to contribute to a solution to human problems (such as cancer or starvation in the Third World), or both.