BG 7004: Advanced Cell Biology
SYLLABUS
Semester 2, 2010
Lecturers
Kathy Luo
Office: N1.3-B3-09
Tel: 6790-4257
Email: KLuo@ntu.edu.sg
Sierin Lim
Office: N1.3-B3-06
Tel: 6514-1085
Email: SLim@ntu.edu.sg
Load
Lectures: 39 hours
Academic units: 3 AUs
Scope
This course will focus on understanding cell biology which is fundamental to all of the biological sciences
and necessary for molecular bioengineering research. This course is designed for graduate students who
have successfully completed an undergraduate course in cell biology. Topics include the principles of
cellular organization and function, regulation of the cell cycle, interactions between cells and cellular
signaling pathways.
Prerequisites
Molecular & cell biology and Biochemistry
Assessment
Project/homework (40%)
Final exam (60%)
Reference
rd
Alberts et al., Essential Cell Biology, 3 Edition, Garland Science, 2010.
Course Schedule
Lectures: Tuesdays, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, CBE SR3
Week & Time
Chapters
Topics
Lecturers
1
Tue, 12 Jan
Chapter 1,3
Introduction to cells; Energy, catalysis & biosynthesis
S. Lim
2
Tue, 19 Jan
Chapter 4,5
Protein structure & function; DNA and chromosomes
S. Lim
3
Tue, 26 Jan
Chapter 6
DNA replication, repair, and recombination
S. Lim
4
Tue, 2 Feb
Chapter 7
From DNA to protein: How cells read the genome
S. Lim
5
Tue, 9 Feb
Chapter 8
Control of gene expression
S. Lim
6
Tue, 16 Feb
Thu, 18 Feb
Chapter 10
NO LECTURE; Happy Lunar New Year!
Manipulating genes and cells; Make-up lecture
S. Lim
7
Tue, 23 Feb
Chapter 11
Membrane structure
S. Lim
8
1-5 Mar
9
Tue, 9 Mar
Chapter 12
Membrane transport, Intracellular compartments and
transport
K. Luo
10
Tue, 16 Mar
Chapter 15
Cell communication
K. Luo
11
Tue, 23 Mar
Chapter 16
Cytoskeleton
K. Luo
12
Tue, 30 Mar
Chapter 17
Cell-cycle control
K. Luo
13
Tue, 6 Apr
Chapter 18
Cell division and cell death
K. Luo
14
RECESS
Tue, 13 Apr
Project presentation
Fri, 16 Apr
Term paper due
19 Apr – 7 May
REVISION & EXAMS
K. Luo
BG 7004: Advanced Cell Biology
Term Paper Requirements and Deadlines
Team: 2 students max
Assessment:
Final paper: 15% (to be graded by Prof. Lim)
Presentation: 25% (Each student has to present; to be graded by Prof. Luo)
Active participation: extra credits
Deadlines:
22-Jan:
12-Feb:
13-Apr:
16-Apr:
Title, abstract, and rough outline
Background and significance
Project presentations
Complete and submit the term paper (stapled; no binding) at the BIE B5 pigeon hole.
Topics:
Any topic of your interest that is related to the chapters but not directly to your thesis/dissertation will be
acceptable. There will be no redundant topics allowed between groups, so be sure to inform me of your
selection as early as possible as it will be on a first-come first-served basis.
Alternatively, below are some topics that won Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine:
• Genetic control of enzyme and virus synthesis (1965)
• Development of computer assisted tomography (1979)
• Immune system and production of monoclonal antibodies (1984)
• Protein phosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism (1992)
• Nitric oxide as signaling molecule (1998)
• RNA interference (2006)
• Human genome project (not a Nobel topic)
Suggested outline:
Describe the system/cell involved
Experimental methods/mathematical model
Important findings (structure, properties, mechanism, etc.)
Implications to current/future research
Term Paper format:
ATTENTION: Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Please consult
https://equinox.ntu.edu.sg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=177&Itemid=123
Maximum 10 pages of text (A4 paper)
1 inch margins (top, right, left, bottom)
1.5 line spacing
Font: Times New Roman size 12
Presentation format:
Total time: 20 min (15 min presentation + 5 min Q&A)
Rule of thumb: 1 slide/min
Fonts: Arial, 18 pt min.
Color: No yellow on white or red on blue
NTU Powerpoint template:
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/AboutNTU/ntuidentity/guidelines/Pages/Powerpoint.aspx
During Q&A session, audience participation is highly recommended for extra credit.