Cell Biology BI2213
Contents
This course covers a wide range of advanced cell biology topics discussing in some detail membrane structure, transport, intracellular compartments, protein sorting and vesicular traffic. It will also discuss the cell cycle and cell division. Finally we will be looking at mechanisms of cell communications, cell junctions and adhesion to the extracellular matrix, looking at the role and regulation of the cytoskeleton and motor proteins and also see how many of these process work together to drive cell migration. This course will also provide an introduction to the types and role of mechanical forces in cells.
Recommended readings
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Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts, Johnson, Raff, Lewis et al. (2007) 5th Ed. Garland Science
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Molecular Biology of the Gene by James Watson et al., (2007) 6th Ed. Benjamin Cummings
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Molecular Cell Biology by Lodish, Berk, Kaiseretal. (2007) 6th Ed. W.H.Freeman
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Reviews recommended on the course website.
Advanced Biochemistry BI3284
Contents
This course constitutes specialized topics related to membrane biochemistry and metabolism. The first deals with understanding physical principles underlying formation, organization and dynamics of membranes and also includes case studies from contemporary literature discussing working with artificial membrane systems and reconstitution of membrane proteins into such systems. The second constitutes a survey of metabolic pathways from a molecular point-of-view.
Membrane Biochemistry: Lipid structure and dynamics, membrane protein insertion and folding, lipid and protein organization in membranes, Molecular recognition principles on membranes, Lipid and protein sorting, membrane fusion and fission, homeoviscous adaption, Membrane-mimetic systems, membrane protein purification and reconstitution.
Metabolism: Amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, nucleotide and glycogen metabolism, metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, citric acid cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
Recommended readings
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Molecular Biology of the Cell. B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter, (2002) Garland Science.
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Life - As a Matter of Fat. O. Mouritsen, (2004) Springer.
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The Structure of Biological Membranes. P. Yeagle. (2004) CRC Press.
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Biochemistry: The chemical reactions of living cells. D. Metzler. (2001) Academic Press.
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Primary research articles and reviews will be utilized to provide contemporary insights into the field.
Literature Review BI4143
Contents
The main objective of this course is become familiar with primary scientific literature. This will include use of search tools, reading, analysing and critically evaluating primary literature, and effectively summarising and communicating (oral and written) this information.
Topics will include searching, reading, evaluating and writing scientific literature.