Advanced Cell Biology BI735
Syllabus Fall 2008
Overview
Complex organisms are comprised of hundreds of distinct cell types that carry out different functions required to keep the organism alive. To investigate and understand these functions, cell biologists have developed fascinating experimental approaches, often combining microscopic, biochemical and molecular techniques. As graduate students interested in Cell and Molecular Biology, it is imperative that you have a fundamental understanding of these experimental approaches and their limitations. In this course, you will read original research papers that have led to our current understanding of the cytoskeleton, nuclear import/export, protein quality control, membrane trafficking and more. In addition, you will read current research papers that describe the latest innovations in microscopic and molecular analysis of cellular function. As a final project, you will work in a small group (~3 students) to cover an aspect of Cell Biology that was not covered extensively by either of the professors' lectures. These groups will give the last three lectures of the course and the material from these presentations will be included on the final exam. This should be a fun experience for those interested in research, and it should be viewed as an opportunity to develop the communication skills required for expressing your own scientific ideas in the future.
Professors
Sid Tamm Rm 116, 2 Cummington (BSC) (Office Hours-Any Time); email
Jim Deshler Rm 603, 24 Cummington, (Office Hour-By Appointment); email
Prerequisites
BI203 (Cell Biology), BI552 (Molecular Biology I) and BI721 (Graduate Biochemistry).
BI735 Web Page
Much of the course information, including the syllabus, descriptions of assignments, reading lists, and reading material are in the form of .PDF files will be available on the web site. The easiest way to access the web site is to go to and type BI735 (no spaces) in the search box. You will need your BU login name and kerberos password to login. Click on the "Course Information" and "Course Document" buttons to find general and lecture related information, respectively.
Time and Place
Lectures are held Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 am-12:30 pm in SCI 111.
Grading
30% Midterm; 30% Final; 20% Paper; 10% Oral Presentation; 10% Class Participation.
Readings Materials
Text:Molecular Cell Biology, Albertset al., 2007, the Fifth Edition, Garland Science, is required.
Primary Literature:In addition to a text, reading lists will be handed out containing various journal articles pertinent to lecture material. These articles will be accessible either via the course web site as a PDF file, or in the Sci/Eng Library on reserve.
LectureSeptember
1--ST 2Organization and Evolution of Eukaryotic Cells
2--ST 4Optical Microscopy and Video-enhancement
3--ST 9 Fluorescence Microscopy: Types and Modes
4--ST 11Luminescent and Fluorescent Probes
5--ST 16Electron Microscopy
6--ST 18Calcium signaling
7--ST 23Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Interactions
8--ST 25Motor Proteins
9--ST 30Microtubule and Centrin-based Motile Systems
October
10--ST 2Cell Adhesion and Migration
11--ST 7Regulation of Actin Assembly and Disassembly
9MIDTERM EXAM
14Holiday (Columbus Day; Substitute Monday 10/13 classes)
12--JD 16Sub-cellular Fractionation and Characterization of Organelles
13--JD 21Nuclear Structure and Dynamics
14--JD 23Nuclear Import/Export
15--JD 28Secretory Pathway
16--JD 30 Protein Translocation
November
17-- 4Guest Lecture
18--JD 6Vesicle Trafficking
11Holiday (Veteran’s Day)
19--JD 13Vesicle Budding
20--JD 18SNARE Hypothesis
21--JD 20Protein Quality Control
22--JD 25Regulation by Proteolysis and Nerve Cells
27Thanksgiving Holiday
December
23--JD 2 Protein Targeting to Mitochondria
23 4Student Seminar
24 9Student Seminar
25 11Student Seminar
19FINAL EXAM 9:00-11:00—Friday