The Developmental Origin Of Adult Diseases (MBS-0237)

Spring 2026 · MBS 0237 · Tufts University · 1.5 credits · Undergraduate

Recent clinical and epidemiological studies reveal that changes in the maternal environment play a major role in the genesis of certain diseases in her fetus, and that these diseases manifest once the exposed fetus reaches adult life. The importance of this field of developmental pathogenesis is growing rapidly, and it is expected to become a major medical discipline. For example, nutritional deprivation during gestation, caused by famine, war and migrations increases the likelihood of the fetus developing hypertension and stroke if exposure to famine occurs during the 1st trimester. Fetuses exposed during the 2nd trimester have an increased propensity of developing diabetes and heart disease. Similarly, exposure to certain hormonally-active agents (also known as endocrine disruptors) such as pesticides during fetal and early postnatal development increase the propensity of developing breast cancer during adult life, as does exposure to the estrogen DES before the 13th week of development. Recently, disease susceptibilities (autism, behavioral deficits, cancer, diabetes, obesity, asthma) are also being linked with exposure to environmental toxins. In sum, the environment interacts with the developing organism to produce novel, at times impaired or disease-prone phenotypes. Thus, ecological developmental biology is becoming a medical discipline in the 21st century.

Course codes: MBS-0237, MBS 0237, MBS0237, MBS-237, MBS 237, MBS237

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