CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY --- BISC 440, Spring 2006
Lecture: Tu & Th 9:30 – 10:45 AM
Lab Section 1: Tu 3 – 5:50 PM; Section 2: W 12 – 2:50 PM
Instructor: Dr. Bradley W. Jones, 122 Shoemaker Hall
Phone: 915-1700 E-mail: jonesbw@olemiss.edu
Office Hours: Monday 9:00-11:00 AM; Thursday 1:00-3:00 PM; or by appointment
Course Description: This course will give students a rigorous and yet basic understanding and appreciation of
the fundamental principles of molecular cell biology. The emphasis of the lectures will be placed on a detailed
study of the major cellular components, with particular attention to the relationship between functions and the
molecular and supramolecular organization of the cell. We will study the molecular mechanisms for cell
reproduction, regulation, control of gene expression, and cellular communication. The laboratory segment of the
course will expose students to common molecular biology techniques and methods for observing cells. The
emerging field of molecular cell biology, a union of several subfields of biology including genetics, cell
biology, biochemistry, and microscopy offers a more comprehensive approach to the understanding of the cell
and ultimately, the organism.
Goals of Course: The main goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of the role of the cell as
the fundamental unit of both structure and function in all living things.
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites: BISC 336 & BISC330 (Genetics & Physiology);
Having had or currently enrolled in CHEM 471 (Biochemistry I) strongly suggested.
Text: Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition, Alberts et al.
Molecular Biology of the Cell: A Problems Approach, companion to Alberts et al.
Date
Tu 1/17
Topic
Organization and Introduction
Chapter
Th 1/19
Cells and Genomes
1
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 1/24
Proteins
3
 Structure of proteins
Th 1/26
Proteins
3
 Protein function
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 1/31
DNA and chromosomes
4
 Structure and function of DNA
Th 2/2
DNA and chromosomes
4
 Chromosomes - packaging of DNA
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 2/7
How Cells Read the Genome
6
 From DNA to RNA
Th 2/9
How Cells Read the Genome
6
 From RNA to Protein
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 2/14
Exam #1
Th 2/16
Control of Gene Expression
7
 An overview of gene control
 DNA-binding motifs in gene regulatory proteins
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 2/21
Control of Gene Expression
7
 How genetic switches work
Th 2/23
Control of Gene Expression
7
 Creating specialized cell types
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 2/28
Membrane Structure
10
Th 3/2
Membrane Transport
11
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 3/7
Membrane Transport
11
Th 3/9
Exam #2
________________________________________________________________________
March 14, 16
Spring Break
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 3/21
Cytoskeleton
16
 Structure of cytoskeletal filaments
Th 3/23
Cytoskeleton
16
 Molecular motors
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 3/28
Intracellular Compartments and Protein Sorting
12
 Compartments
 Transport of molecules between compartments
Th 3/30
No Class – ENJOY! STUDY!
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 4/4
Intracellular Compartments and Protein Sorting
12
 Endoplasmic reticulum
Th 4/6
Intracellular Vesicular Traffic
13
 Transport through the endomembrane system
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 4/11
Intracellular Vesicular Traffic
13
 Endo- and exocytosis
Th 4/13
Exam #3
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 4/18
Cell Communication
15
 General principles
Th 4/20
Cell Communication
15
 G-protein coupled receptor
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 4/25
Cell Communication
15
 Enzyme-linked cell-surface receptors
Th 4/27
Cell Cycle
17
 Overview
 Components of cell-cycle control system
________________________________________________________________________
Tu 5/2
Cell Cycle
17
 Intracellular control of cell-cycle events
Th 5/4
DNA replication
5
 Mechanisms
________________________________________________________________________
May 10
FINAL EXAM 8:00 AM
Class Policy: Attendance is required. Do not miss lecture. Do not miss labs. Attendance and participation
in the lab is mandatory. Missed labs cannot be made up and will result in a score of 0 for that week’s
assignment. Late lab assignments (reports, write-ups) will be granted half credit only.
Grades: There will be four exams. The fourth exam will be administered during finals week, but will not be
cumulative. There will also be 4 pop quizzes. The average of pop quizzes these will be counted as an additional
exam grade. Exams will account for 70% of the course grade. Laboratory participation, paper discussions,
analysis questions, and write-ups will account for 30% of the grade.
Make up exams: Students can make up exams immediately after the final exam if they have documentation
regarding their absence (i.e. doctor’s note, court date, death certificate). Missed pop quizzes cannot be made
up.
Grading Scale: A: 90-100; B: 80-89; C: 70-79; D: 60-69; F: 59 or below
This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate instructional, and/or student
needs.