194: Spring 2019 Course Descriptions
| Instructor |
Karen Oegema and Arshad Desai |
| Title |
Cancer: Origins and Therapeutic Strategies |
| Description |
In this course, we will read primary scientific literature highlighting basic scientific findings and how they are leading to new therapeutic approaches in cancer. Students will read, present and discuss scientific papers and turn in a final written assignment analyzing an assigned pair of papers. |
| Prerequisites |
Cell Biology (BICD 110); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
M. Estelle |
| Title |
When is This Winter Going to End? How do plants know when to do what they do? |
| Description |
Because they are sessile, plants exhibit a remarkable ability to sense their environment and to alter their developmental programs in response to changing conditions. As a result of this developmental plasticity, a plant’s appearance can vary dramatically depending on the conditions in which it lives. In this course we will explore the mechanisms involved in environmental regulation of plant development. |
| Prerequisites |
Cell Biology (BICD 110); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
J. Pruneda-Paz |
| Title |
Circadian rhythms: physiological and molecular aspects |
| Description |
This is a seminar style course. Students will explore the fundamental characteristics of biological clocks across species and how circadian rhythms shape an organism physiology through the presentation and discussion of landmark research articles in the field. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
M. Daugherty |
| Title |
Human Pathogenic Viruses |
| Description |
Most viral pandemics, including AIDS and pandemic flu, are the result of viruses crossing from their natural host species into the human population. In this course, we will focus on the role that viral evolution and evasion of the immune system plays in transmission and pathogenesis of several devastating human viruses including HIV, influenza, Ebola and other emerging viruses. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
R. Malinow |
| Title |
History of Long-term Potentiation |
| Description |
This course will investigate the history of long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission through a critical reading of important publications. |
| Prerequisites |
Human Physiology I (BIPN 100) OR Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140); upper division standing.
I want to stress that this is an ADVANCED class; I will assume that you know the basics of electrophysiology and synaptic transmission. You need to already understand ALL of the following topics in some detail: neuron, axon, dendrite, synapse; transmembrane resting potential, action potential, synaptic potential; excitatory transmission, inhibitory transmission; intracellular recording, extracellular recording. |
| Instructor |
S. Ackerman |
| Title |
Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration |
| Description |
Neurodegenerative disorders are common in the elderly population and are incurable. In this course, students will explore our current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration by presenting and discussing primary scientific literature. |
| Prerequisites |
Human Physiology I (BIPN 100) OR Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140); upper division standing.
Genetics (BICD 100) and/or Molecular Biology (BIMM 100) are highly recommended. |