BISC 411- Cell Biology
Spring 2012
This course will explore the current understanding of basic cellular processes. It is geared towards
advanced Biological sciences majors who have taken BISC 320. The course will be divided into two parts.
In the first part of the course, Prof. Arnold will concentrate on synthesis, processing and trafficking of
proteins. A major component of the first half of the course will be the discussion of 6 original research
papers, each of which directly addresses a topic that is discussed in the lectures.
In the second part of the course, Prof. Liman will examine transport across and electrical properties of cell
membranes and Prof. Baker will examine the cell cycle and its relationship to cancer. Where possible we
will discuss how cellular processes are important at the level of the tissue and of the organism, both in
normal physiology and in disease states.
Lecturers:
Don Arnold
darnold@usc.edu
RRI 204B
Ph: 821-1266 Fax: 821-1818
Office Hours: TTh 2:00-3:00 PM
Emily Liman
liman@usc.edu
HED 301
Ph: (213) 821-1454 Office Hours: TBA
Textbook:
Molecular Cell Biology, sixth edition; Lodish, Berk, Zipusky, Matsudaira, Baltimore, and
Darnell; Freeman Publishing, 2008.
Other readings will be distributed.
Lecture:
11:00-12:20 TTh. SGM 601
Teaching Assistant .
Grading: This course will be graded on a curve depending on the total number of points earned. The
maximum points for different components of evaluation are as follows:
Midterm
Final Exam
Course Total
100 points
100 points
200 points
General Policies:
Format of exams: Multiple choice, short answer, and essays.
Midterm Makeup. There will be no midterm make-ups. If you miss a midterm you will need to submit
a doctor’s certificate within a week of returning to class. If a valid doctor’s note is submitted then the
final grade will be taken out of 100 points, instead of 200, and scaled accordingly.
Use of Pencil on Exam: If you use pencil on an exam, we will accept the exam, but we will not allow
re-grading in the event of a dispute.
Re-grading of exams: Correct answers will be posted on the course web site and will be discussed
during the TA session following the exam. If questions regarding grading arise, students should submit
a written request for re-grading to the TA along with the exam, within a week after the exams are
returned. This request should describe in sufficient detail the reasons why points should be awarded.
The entire exam will be re-graded, and all decisions will be final.
Disabilities. Students requesting academic accommodations based on a disability are required to
register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for
approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP when adequate documentation is filed. Please be
sure the letter is delivered to Drs. Arnold or McKemy as early in the semester as possible. DSP is open
Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00. The office is in Student Union 301 and their phone number is (213) 7400776.
Disclaimer: It may be necessary to make some changes in the syllabus during the semester.
Date
Lecturer
10-Jan
12-Jan
17-Jan
19-Jan
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
24-Jan
26-Jan
Arnold
Arnold
31-Jan
2-Feb
7-Feb
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
9-Feb
14-Feb
16-Feb
21-Feb
23-Feb
28-Feb
1-Mar
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
Arnold
Liman
6-Mar
8-Mar
13-Mar
15-Mar
20-Mar
22-Mar
27-Mar
29-Mar
3-Apr
5-Apr
10-Apr
12-Apr
17-Apr
19-Apr
24-Apr
26-Apr
8-May
Liman
Midterm Exam
BISC 411 Schedule of Lectures
Topic
Techniques for Studying Cells, Organelles of
the Eukaryotic Cell
Secretory Pathway
Presley et al.
Secretory Pathway II
Insertion of Proteins into the
Membrane/Nuclear Import/Export
Kalderon et al
Protein Modifications/ Signals involved in
targeting of proteins
Folsch et al.
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Vesicular Traffic/Synaptic Vesicles
Weber et al.
Actin and Microtubules
Fischer
Kinesin and Myosin
Lewis et al.
Biomembranes, transporters and pumps
Membrane potential, co-transporters and
epithelial transport
Spring Recess
Spring Recess
Liman
Whorton et al, Cell 2011
Liman
Ion channels, structure function and diversity
Liman
Heginbotham et al, Science 1992
Liman
Cell Signaling I
Liman
Buck et al, Cell 1991
Liman
Cell Signaling II
Liman
Neurotransmitter release and receptors
Liman
Karpova et al Neuron 2005
Liman
Sensory Signaling I
Liman
Jordt et al, Cell 2002
Liman
Sensory Signaling II
Liman
Mueller et al, 2005
Final Examination Covers second half of the course
Reading
Section 2.2, 3.4, 5.4
Section 16.1
Section 17.1
Section 16.2, 12.3
Section 16.3, 17.3
Section 17.5
Section 17.2, 17.4, 17.6
Section 20.1
Section 19.3, 20.2
Chapter 11.1-11.3
Chapter 11.4-11.6
Chapter 23.1-23.2
Chapter 15
16
23.3
Chapter 23.4
Chapter 23.4