BIO 3040 - Cell Biology

Credits: 4

The goal of this course is to gain a working knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for cell growth, death, differentiation, motility, communication, and homeostasis. Specific topics include macromolecular synthesis, cytoskeleton and motor proteins, the regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, membrane transport, protein secretion, membrane sorting, the cell cycle and cancer. Active learning is stressed in both the lecture and the laboratory. The lecture includes classroom discussions of textbook materials, along with student-led presentations/discussions of original research articles on topics of their own choosing related to course subject matter. Emphasis is placed upon the understanding of concepts, methodologies, and interpretation of data. In the laboratory, the students work in small groups to (1) culture both osteoclast cell lines and primary cells, and then treat these cells with hormones to bring about their differentiation in vitro; (2) use high density DNA microarray chip data and bioinformatics to analyze osteoclast gene expression; (3) transfect osteoclasts with siRNA; (4) assess osteoclast differentiation; and (5) individually write a research paper about their results.
Prerequisite(s): BIO 1027 or BIO1025, BIO 1028, BIO 2018 or consent of instructor.
Corequisite(s): BIO 3040L
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab