Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
Course Directors:
Pamela Lein, CROET 1588, 494-9279, leinp@ohsu.edu
Chuck Allen, CROET 2596, 494-2507, allenc@ohsu.edu
This course is a survey of the cellular and molecular biology of the nervous system and is designed to introduce the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying the development, structure and function of the nervous system. The course is divided into two general topic areas: (1) Developmental Cell Biology of the Nervous System and (2) Molecular Mechanisms of Signaling in the Nervous System and concludes with several case studies that illustrate the basic principles discussed throughout the course. The objective of each lecture is to identify the following: (a) what is known about the topic; (b) how we know what we know, and (c) essential questions yet to be answered about the topic. Integrative class discussions are scheduled to further expand upon or illustrate concepts described in preceding lectures.
Recommended textbooks include Fundamental Neuroscience, 2nd edition, 2003 (Squire, Bloom, McConnell, Roberts, Spitzer and Zigmond, eds.), Principles of Neuroscience, Kandel et al. and The Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology, Cooper et al. Copies of these books will be on reserve in the Vollum library. Note: depending on the topic of the lecture, lecturers may or may not assign reading from these books, and many lecturers will provide additional reading materials.
There will be two exams (short answer); each exam will be worth 40% of the course grade. The remaining 20% of the grade will be based on a written critique of a current article from the primary scientific literature.
Students must contact the course director in advance if they will miss a class. Repeated failure to do so and/or numerous absences may affect a student's grade.
Each lecturer will select one article relevant to his/her lecture topic, and students will choose one of these articles to critique. This critique should address the following questions: (1) what is the position of the authors (e.g., what are they trying to convince you is the take-home point of the article)? (2) Does the evidence support their position? Be sure to describe the one or two figures you think are most critical to supporting the authors’ position and to discuss aspects of the work that you feel weaken the authors’ position. (3) What contribution do you think the work makes to the general field? The critique should be no more than 5 pages long, double-spaced, Arial 11 point font.
Mar 03 1) Identification of article chosen to review, 2) List of references that will be used to prepare the review
Mar 10 Outline of review
Mar 21 Written critique due IN CLASS
