Course Description :
Complex biological systems will be analyzed from the
molecular, cellular, extracellular, organ and organism levels of hierarchy. Examples
of processes to be studied include chemotaxis, growth factor-, cytokine- and
hormone-mediated signaling cascades, signaling cascades leading to cell death in
response to stress, and signaling at the transcriptional and translational levels.
In each case, the availability of a resource, or the presence of a stimulus, will
result in some biochemical pathways being turned on while others are turned off. It
will be shown that cells and organisms use a small number of mechanistic themes and
strategies to effectuate a myriad of functions ranging from avoidance of a toxicant
to the triggering of programmed cell death. The course provides a chemical, biological
and quantitative view of the interplay of multiple pathways as networks.
The course will mainly use lectures to impart knowledge and
understanding of the aforementioned topics, complemented by a class project.
The course has no text, but requires a firm background in biochemistry. Readings
from the primary literature will be assigned. One hour per week of class time will
be devoted to discussion of key primary journal articles describing important
contributions to hierarchical systems biology.
A term project undertaken by subgroups of the class working
as integrated teams will involve the preparation of a structured research project,
similar to a thesis proposal, in an area of biological networks. The topic will
change yearly, and the written product of the case study will be evaluated by a
committee of experts. The term grade will derive from the quiz, home-assignments
and written paper and oral presentations along with participation in class-period
discussions. |