Normally Offered: Every Spring semester
Prerequisite and Recommended Courses: This course is designed for graduate students. Students should have 2 semesters of undergraduate Organic Chemistry. Special permission may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Format: The course will consist of two 80-minute lectures per week (shared with undergraduates in 11:067:492) plus a 60-minute evening session following the first lecture period of the week.
Objectives: The goal is to provide students a solid foundation in cell biology and prepare students for a career in biomedical and/or pharmaceutical research. Students are expected to (i) acquire a solid understanding of how cells function in the context of mammalian physiology at the molecular level; (ii) develop communication skills (written and verbal) to prepare them for the rigors of an academic or industry research career; and (iii) develop an understanding of genomic approaches to molecular biology and critical analysis of primary literature.
Description: This course is designed to explore the molecular mechanisms of cell biology as it pertains to mammalian physiology. Specific emphasis is placed on gene expression and genome function including the role of chromatin and non-coding RNA, translation, cell cycle and division, protein trafficking, cellular metabolism and cell signaling. Other topics include the specific function of cellular organelles, DNA replication and repair, mRNA processing and translation, the nuclear pore complex and shuttling between the cytoplasm and nucleus, cytoskeleton, protein trafficking between organelles and through the secretory pathway, electron transport, cell homeostasis and apoptosis, extracellular matrix, stem cell development and hematopoiesis, and cellular clocks.
The weekly evening sessions will place special emphasis on critical assessment of primary literature and methods for bioinformatic data analysis. Graduate students are required to present a primary research article and lead a discussion among the students and participate in the review and discussion of other papers presented by their peers.
Examinations: Students will be responsible for completing reading assignments and have a comprehensive understanding of cellular processes. Assessments will come from 2 exams (20% each, 40% total), a comprehensive final exam (30%), 2 assignments (10%), presentation of a primary journal article using genomic approaches (10%), and weekly participation in research discussion (10%).
Other Requirements: Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.) by Alberts et al., Garland Science. Selected primary research articles for student presentations.