Cell & Developmental Biology
Courses and descriptions
CELL 601 Research
Term: Any
CELL 603 Thesis
Term: Any
CELL 605 Reading & Conference
Course Director: TBA with appropriate topics
Term: Any
CELL 606A Developmental Biology Journal Club
Course Director: Nechiporuk
Term: Fall, Winter, Spring
CELL 606 Cell Biology Journal Club
Course Director: Musil
Term: Fall, Winter, Spring
CELL 607 Departmental Seminar Series
Course Director: Marcel Wehrli
Terms: Fall, Winter, Spring
CELL 602 GIE for Graduate Students
Course Director: Ciment
Terms: Fall - taught last week in August to the third week in November
Human Gross Anatomy & Embryology. This course utilizes a regional approach to the study of the human body, including coverage of the various functional systems (e.g. cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, endocrine, etc.) and how the functions of theses systems are orchestrated by the central and peripheral nervous systems. The course consists of basic science lectures (anatomy, embryology), clinical lectures (surgery, radiology, ob-gyn, etc.), and viewing dissected human cadavers (although graduate students will not be performing these dissections). It is an excellent overview for any organismally-based graduate student, or a student interested in acquiring valuable teaching credentials.
CELL 611 Histology-The Structure and Function of Cells in Tissues
Course Directors: TBD
Terms: Spring, alternate years
CELL 615 Advance Topics in Developmental Neurobiology
Course Directors: Copenhaver
Terms: Spring, alternate years
Advanced graduate course designed to provide an overview of the major aspects of nervous system formation, plus more in-depth presentations of specific topics in the field of neural development and differentiation. Emphasis will be on recent insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the different phases of neural development, including patterning of the early nervous system, neurogenesis, neuronal migration and axonal outgrowth, synaptogenesis and plasticity, cell death, and neural stem cells in regeneration. Readings will be based selected reviews and articles from the current literature. Interactive discussion sections will involve critical analyses of recent research papers
CELL 616 Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology
Course Directors: Wong and SearsTerms: Spring
The course consists of a comprehensive coverage of topics in cancer biology including mechanisms of carcinogenesis, the roles of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, molecular targets for novel therapeutic strategies, and an understanding of the pathogenesis of specific cancers such as breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, skin, and blood. Prerequisites: Instructor consent.
CELL 618 Mechanisms of Development
Course Director: Nechiporuk
Terms: Winter, alternate years
Cellular, molecular, and genetic approaches to understanding cell-cell signaling in embryonic patterning, regulation of morphogenesis, cell commitment, differentiation and ageing will be discussed. Students will be introduced to a variety of animal model systems, including Drosophila, Xenopus, zebrafish and mouse that are commonly employed to answer developmental questions. This course is intended to provide a general overview of the entire field of Developmental Biology, from classical embryological questions to current molecular and genetic analyses.
CELL 620 Model Systems Biology
Course Directors: Brigande and Wong
Terms: Summer, alternate years
This course provides an introduction to the biology and genetics of the major animal model systems as well as laboratory demonstrations of state-of-the-art techniques. Students will gain a solid understanding of how mice, zebrafish, Xenopus, chickens, flies, moths and nematodes are used as tools to study key cell and molecular biology problems. This will help students better interpret the results of the many papers coming out each day in major journals. This course should also aid in making informed choices of thesis and qualifying exam topics. Grades will be based on student presentations of current topics and a final exam. Students at all levels are encouraged to participate.
CELL 622 Topics in Transcriptional ReculationModel Systems Biology
Course Directors: Mauer
Terms: Fall, alternate years
Specific topics concerning mechanisms regulating gene expression will be covered. Some topics will focus on the role of particular transcription factor or co-activator families. Other topics will examine the role of transcriptional changes in regulating physiological processes. The course will involve lectures by faculty and interactive discussion of current papers. Students will be required to prepare a written research proposal. Prerequisite: CONJ 663
Cell & Developmental Department Guidelines
