Prerequisite : CGET 501 Integrated Life Sciences or equivalent
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.
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.