BI**194 / BGGN 280-285: Winter 2022 Course Descriptions
Disclaimer: Students may not receive credit for a second attempt of the same topic that was previously completed.
| Instructor |
Hui, Enfu |
| Title |
Biochemistry of Cell Signaling |
| Description |
Multiple cell types in our body collectively form tissues to execute specific functions. The survival and function of each cell depend on receiving and processing information (signals) from the environment. Cell-cell communication is also critical for our immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells and virus infected cells. Cells detect signals using specialized cell surface proteins called receptors, which coordinate with proteins and lipid molecules inside of the cells to convert the signal to a cascade of biochemical events that ultimately lead to cell division, differentiation, motility and/or secretion of chemical substances. In this course, we will discuss primary research articles that uncover how an external signal triggers a cell surface receptor, how the signal is relayed inside the cell, how signaling molecules are self-organized, and how to rewire the signaling networks to engineer cells with novel, desired functionalities. Special emphasis will be placed on signal transduction and engineering of immune cells that is related to cancer immunotherapy, an exciting and fast-moving field. Throughout the course, you will acquire the skills to interpret, evaluate, and present primary literature. |
| Prerequisites |
Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100) or Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Forbes, Douglass Jane |
| Title |
Scientific Breakthroughs of Diverse Origin |
| Description |
People do science. This course will cover past and present scientific breakthroughs and the diversity of scientists that pushed them forward. Coursework will involve research, followed by oral presentation of the background and findings of one or more key diverse contributors. Areas and scientists of interest will, for example, include: (1) a key diverse contributor to the identification of the AIDs virus, (2) the prime discoverer of autophagy (or how cells rid themselves of aging components), (3) a major diverse expert in the phage therapy pioneered to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections, and (4) the visionaries of RNA vaccine technology used to fight COVID-19. |
| Prerequisites |
Cell Biology (BICD 110); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Pruneda-Paz, Jose L. |
| Title |
Circadian rhythms: molecular mechanisms and physiological implications of biological clocks |
| Description |
This is a seminar style course. Students will explore, through the presentation and discussion of primary scientific literature, the fundamental characteristics of biological clocks and how circadian rhythms shape physiological responses across species. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Murre, Cornelis |
| Title |
Epigenetic in Gene Regulation, Development and Cancer |
| Description |
The course is focused on epigenetic mechanisms that control gene expression. There will be a heavy emphasis on understanding the basis of design, execution and interpretation of relevant scientific experiments. The goal of the course is to read, critically evaluate and present primary data from research articles. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Hasty, Jeff M |
| Title |
Survey of Quantitative Biology |
| Description |
This course will provide a survey of quantitative biology with lectures from pedagogical research from leaders in the field. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Akbari, Omar Sultan |
| Title |
Advanced Molecular Biology Technologies in Insects |
| Description |
This course covers biotechnology applications as applied to Insects. |
| Prerequisites |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| 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 |
Molecular Biology (BIMM 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Banghart, Matthew Ryan |
| Title |
Molecular and Cellular Neuropharmacology |
| Description |
Pharmacological control of protein activity is fundamental to neurobiological research and underlies the actions of therapeutic drugs. This course will address fundamental principles of neuropharmacology and the current state of neuropharmacology research through a critical reading of primary research publications. |
| Prerequisites |
Human Physiology I (BIPN 100) or Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Leutgeb, Jill K. |
| Title |
Brains systems for spatial navigation |
| Description |
This course will investigate the neural networks in the brain that underlie spatial navigation and pathfinding. How does the brain create maps of space that guide navigation in complex environments? The 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for the discovery of the brains “inner GPS” system. Students will present and discuss the primary literature describing the current state of the field and recent implications for artificial intelligence and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. |
| Prerequisites |
Human Physiology I (BIPN 100) or Cellular Neurobiology (BIPN 140); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Ackerman, Susan |
| Title |
Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration |
| Description |
Neurodegenerative disorders are common in the aging 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 |
| Instructor |
Newsam, John |
| Title |
Introduction to Biotechnology Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation |
| Description |
This course is designed to introduce you, an undergraduate with senior standing or recent graduate, to aspects of biotechnology business and to the coupling of entrepreneurship with scientific innovation.
I have attempted to distil my own business experiences in the biotech field into a set of learnings about issues that have been consequential to one or more of the companies in which I have been involved. These learnings are structured into key topics, such as intellectual property, finances and financings, negotiations and deals. We consider each of these topics, both in class and via the assignments. |
| Prerequisites |
Genetics (BICD 100); upper division standing |
| Instructor |
Niwa, Maho |
| Title |
Human Diseases Caused by Protein Folding |
| Description |
Presentations of research papers by students |
| Prerequisites |
Genetics (BICD 100); upper division standing |