The hallmark of nerve and muscle cells is their ability to transform a chemical signal into an electrical signal. We discuss how these cells are designed to perform this task in such an elegant manner. In addition to cellular architecture, the molecular basis of signal transduction is explored. In addition to textbook readings, there are frequent additional readings from scientific literature. These papers are selected to emphasize the scientific approaches and methods used by neurobiologists to gain insight into the cell biology of the nervous system.
Emphasis is placed on experimental approaches to answering questions in molecular neurobiology.
Techniques learned include cell culture, isolation of DNA and RNA, Northern blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and neuropharmacology. Go to the top of this frame. Immunology is the study of the self-generated protection of an organism from its external environment by its immune system. The study overlaps several biological disciplines including cell biology, genetics, development and biochemistry. This course provides a basic understanding of the biological basis of the immune response at the molecular, cellular and organismal levels.