Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology

Bio 4751

Spring 2007

Time: 11:00AM MWF

Requirements: Previous coursework in molecular biology and genetics.

Instructor: Gary A. Bulla, Ph.D.

Office: Life Sciences Building Rm 2027, Phone: 217-581-3499, Office hours: 9-11 MW or by appointment. E-mail: gabulla@eiu.edu If not in my office, I will leave a note on my door indicating my location.

Required lecture text: Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4^th ed., Bruce Alberts et al., 2002, Garland Science (publishers), ISBN 0-8153-3218-1. Make sure your copy contains a CD-ROM.

Course Description: Topics covered will focus on cell signaling in eukaryotic cells, primarily mammals (although other model systems will be discussed).

Course goals-

To learn the molecular underpinnings of eukaryotic cell signaling.
To learn to read and understand current research articles.
To develop scientific presentation skills.

Course Web Site: www.ux1.eiu.edu/~gabulla Note: the “l” in “ux1” is the number 1

To print lecture slides-

Click on “Bio4751”, then click on Chapter 1 under the “Powerpoint” column.

Click on “File” menu, then click on “Print”.

In pop-up window, select

· “Slides” in “Print Range” box

· “Handouts” from “Print What:” menu

· “Pure Black and White” from “Color/Grayscale” menu

· “6” slides per page in “Handout” box

· “OK” to print

Format and grading :

The first half of the course will consist of a series of lectures by Dr. Bulla. The second half will consist of presentations by individual students covering a variety of topics concerning signal transduction.

Written questions: (10%) Once student presentations begin, each week students will receive a number of journal articles and a list of questions covering the articles. The answers to the questions will be due by 10AM on the day of the class at which the paper will be discussed. Answers should be brief and to the point. Answers can be placed in Dr. Bulla’s mail slot in the Biology office or brought to class.

Presentations: (15%) Each student will be assigned to lead a class discussion covering primary articles 1-2 times during the course. Students must use a digital presentation format (e.g. powerpoint), although chalk or overheads can also be used in addition to the digital presentation. The presentation should include historical perspective, key concepts addressed in the articles, the key experiments, a critical assessment of the experimental design and results, and possible future experiments. Your presentation should draw others into the discussion, rather than simply lecturing on the topic. Note: Each student is responsible for providing a copy of the primary article and a question set no later than one week prior to the presentation.

Exams: (60%) Three exams will be given. Each will comprise 20% of the final grade. Material covered will include material presented by Dr. Bulla and by student presentations. Review sheets will be provided prior to exams.

Class participation: (15%) It is expected that each student will be actively engaged in discussions of assigned articles. Also, each student will give a 5-minute short-talk on a current topic “in the news” involving signal transduction.

Grading Policy: Grades are derived from an accumulated score of 100 percentage points:

A = 90 to 100 %, B = 80 to 89%, C = 70 to 79%, D = 60 to 69%, and F = less than 60%.

Policy Statement on Examinations: Exam times are indicated on the course schedule. Exams missed because of documented illness may be made up.

Disability Policy: To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact me so that we can discuss the accommodations you might need in class.

Attendance Policy: Class attendance is mandatory. Any absences must be brought to my attention prior to the absence.

SCHEDULE		BIO4751: Advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology
Spring 2007		1/2/07 update
Gary Bulla, Ph.D.		11AM MWF
Month	Date	Day	Tentative Lecture Topic	Chapter 15
Jan	8	Mon	Signal transduction overview
	10	Wed	Part I- General signaling strategies	831-852, and Ch 10
	12	Fri	“ “ “
	15	Mon	No class -MLK Day
	17	Wed	“ “ “
	19	Fri	Part II- G protein signaling	852-853
	22	Mon	“ “ “ - cAMP	854-858
	24	Wed	“ “ “ - PLC	859-861
	26	Fri	“ “ “ -Calcium	861-871
	29	Mon	Part III- Enzyme-linked cell surface receptors	871-875
	31	Wed	EXAM I- Part I and Part II
Feb	2	Fri	Part III- (Continued) -Ras	876-880
	5	Mon	Powerpoint presentation information
	7	Wed	Part III- (Continued) – PI3 kinase	880-882
	9	Fri	“ “ - Jak-STAT and TGF-b	884-892
	12	Mon	Part IV- Proteolysis-dependent signaling- Notch	893-895
	14	Wed	“ “ - Wnt and NFkB	895-899
	16	Fri	No Class – Presidents’ Day
	19	Mon	Techniques	469-580 (Chapter 8-9)
	21	Wed	Student presentation
	23	Fri	Student presentation
	26	Mon	Apoptosis
	28	Wed	EXAM II-Midterm
Mar	2	Fri	Student presentation
	5	Mon	TBA
	7	Wed	Student presentation
	9	Fri	Student presentation
	12-16	Mon-Fri	No Class-Spring Break
	19	Mon	TBA
	21	Wed	Student presentation
	23	Fri	Student presentation
	26	Mon	TBA
	27	Wed	Student presentation
	30	Fri	Student presentation
Apr	2	Mon	TBA
	4	Wed	Student presentation
	6	Fri	Student presentation
	9	Mon	TBA
	11	Wed	Student presentation
	13	Fri	Student presentation
	16	Mon	TBA
	18	Wed	Student presentation
	20	Fri	Student presentation
	23	Mon	TBA
	25	Wed	Student presentation
	27	Fri	Student presentation
May	2	Wed	Final Exam 10:15PM-12:15PM

Important Dates:

Deadline to Add Courses - Jan 12

Deadline to Drop a Course with No Grade- Jan 22 (4 P.M.)

Deadline to Withdraw from a Course or University with W- Mar 30