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
Jim Deshler
Rm 116, 2 Cummington (BSC) (Office Hours-Any Time); email tamm@bu.edu
Rm 603, 24 Cummington, (Office Hour-By Appointment); email jdeshler@bu.edu
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 http://courseinfo.bu.edu 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, Alberts et 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.
Lecture
1--ST
2--ST
3--ST
4--ST
5--ST
6--ST
7--ST
8--ST
9--ST
September
2
Organization and Evolution of Eukaryotic Cells
4
Optical Microscopy and Video-enhancement
9
Fluorescence Microscopy: Types and Modes
11
Luminescent and Fluorescent Probes
16
Electron Microscopy
18 Calcium signaling
23
Cytoskeleton Dynamics and Interactions
25
Motor Proteins
30 Microtubule and Centrin-based Motile Systems
October
10--ST 2
Cell Adhesion and Migration
11--ST 7
Regulation of Actin Assembly and Disassembly
9
MIDTERM EXAM
14 Holiday (Columbus Day; Substitute Monday 10/13 classes)
12--JD 16 Sub-cellular Fractionation and Characterization of Organelles
13--JD 21 Nuclear Structure and Dynamics
14--JD 23
Nuclear Import/Export
15--JD 28 Secretory Pathway
16--JD 30
Protein Translocation
November
17-4
Guest Lecture
18--JD 6
Vesicle Trafficking
11 Holiday (Veteran’s Day)
19--JD 13
Vesicle Budding
20--JD 18
SNARE Hypothesis
21--JD 20
Protein Quality Control
22--JD 25
Regulation by Proteolysis and Nerve Cells
27 Thanksgiving Holiday
Note: Deshler’s lectures will be
December
consolidated into four 3-hour lectures on the
following Fridays from 9:00am-12:00pm:
23--JD 2
Protein Targeting to Mitochondria
Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov 14.
23
4
Student Seminar
24
9
Student Seminar
25
11
Student Seminar
19
FINAL EXAM 9:00-11:00—Friday