BI**194 / BGGN 280-285: Spring 2023 Course Descriptions
Disclaimer: Students may not receive credit for a second attempt of the same topic that was previously completed.
| Instructor |
Goldrath, Ananda |
| Title |
Immunotherapy |
| Description |
Immunology is generally thought of as the mechanisms that organisms use to defend their bodies from invasion by other organisms. However, the immune system is also a central player in many diseases that do not involve infection including: autoimmunity, allergy, cancers. Furthermore, inflammation contributes to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In the present course we will learn about strategies to influence the immune system in a variety of human diseases to improve health outcome—collectively termed Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy can be designed to induce, enhance, or suppress an immune response. The goal of the course is not only to provide a big picture of immune responses involved in host protection and in disease, but also to learn how to interpret and present primary literature in this fast-moving field. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Russell, Alistair |
| Title |
An Introduction to High-throughput DNA Sequencing |
| Description |
High-throughput DNA sequencing is increasingly a standard tool in molecular biology. Used to understand pandemics, study the human gut microbiota, develop novel protein reagents, and measure therapeutic responses under a variety of conditions, high-throughput sequencing is used across a variety of different fields.However, there are very few resources describing, from beginning to end, how this process is performed, and, critically, how the massive amount of data produced by such processes are analyzed. This class will introduce a little about the history of sequencing, how modern sequencing machines work "under the hood", how to generate the input for a sequencing experiment, and how one analyzes such data. We will additionally cover what mistakes can happen during this process, and how they can dramatically impact the experimental outcome. This class will involve reading and discussion of primary literature. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Lyumkis, Dmitry & Kosuri, Pallav |
| Title |
Chromatin Structure & Dynamics |
| Description |
The DNA inside a eukaryotic cell is organized into a substance known as chromatin. A rapidly growing body of research shows that chromatin is an intricately organized structure, shaped by molecular interactions, chemical processes, and physical forces. Through the lens of emerging technologies, we are also learning about the shape and the movements of our genetic material, and how this dynamic system can control the fate of every cell in our body. This course will cover the technologies that enable us to see chromatin, and some of the most groundbreaking studies that have shaped our current understanding of what happens in the cell nucleus. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Glasgow, Stacey |
| Title |
Glia in Health and Disease |
| Description |
The seminar will cover the role of glial cells how how glial cell dysfunction is related to various neurological diseases. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Jin, Yishi |
| Title |
Advanced Topics in Modern Biology: Physiology and Neuroscience |
| Description |
Synapses are where the actions in the nervous system take place! Many neurological diseases are associated with synapse dysfunction. Recent genetic studies of Autism or Autism spectral disorders (ASD) have implicated many mutations affecting genes that function in synapses. The goals of the course are to provide basic knowledge on how synapses are formed and regulated, and to discuss cutting-edge research on understanding the causative associations of genes in Autism. Specifically, we will first focus on the key studies that reveal the tripartite components of the synapse. We will then discuss representative research on understanding autism-associated genetic mutations on synapses and behaviors using animal models. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Meharena, Hiruy |
| Title |
Stem Cell Models in Neuroscience |
| Description |
Stem cell models in neuroscience. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Leutgeb, Stefan |
| Title |
Synaptic Plasticity |
| Description |
This course teaches you to read published research papers by a critical examination of the literature regarding Long-Term Potentiation (LTP). It is an advanced course. You will be expected to understand: membrane potential; action potential; excitatory/inhibitory synapses; glutamate-sensitive receptors. For each class you’ll be given 2-3 research papers to read. In class, I will ask specific individuals (randomly chosen) questions regarding papers. Answers (should be short) will be evaluated (0-1). Grades are based solely on these answers. You’ll get ~30 questions during the quarter. No papers to write; no exams. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Chisholm, Andrew |
| Title |
Biology of Regeneration |
| Description |
Student-led discussions of primary research articles on regenerative phenomena throughout the animal kingdom. |
| Prerequisites |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |
| Instructor |
Estelle, Mark |
| Title |
Environmental Regulation of Plant Development |
| 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 |
Please see the Biology Course Prerequisites page for most current prerequisite information. |