Module 1: Fundamental Concepts for this Course – video coming soon
Module 2: Molecule of the Cells
Module 3: Protein Function and Regulation
- Protein Functions
- Allosteric Regulation
- Phosphorylation
- Protein-Protein Interactions
- The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
- Guide Questions for Module 3
Module 4: Fundamentals of Genetic Inheritance and Expression
- Identification of DNA as the Genetic Material of Cells
- Experimental Demonstration of Semi-conservative DNA Replication
- Experimental Determination of Fundamental Features of Gene Expression
- Guide Questions for Module 4
Module 5: DNA Replication
- Fundamentals of DNA Replication at the Replication Fork
- Initiation of DNA Replication at Origins of Replication (ori)
- Maintenance of Telomeres during DNA Replication
- Guide Questions for Module 5
Module 6: Basic Transcription
- The Fundamentals of Gene Expression
- Transcription Initiation to Termination
- Eukaryotic mRNA Processing
- Guide Questions for Module 6
Module 7: Transcriptional Regulation
- Addressing the Concept of “Transcriptional Regulation”
- The Lac Operon s the Prototype Example of Transcriptional Regulation
- Transcription Factors, DNA-Binding Domains, & Transcription Factor Binding Sites
- Transcription Factor Activation and Repressions Domains
- Summary of Transcriptional Regulation
- Guide Questions for Module 7
Module 8: Basic Translation and Protein Folding
- Overview of the Basic Translation Machinery
- Three Stages of Translation and the Translation Factors
- Protein Folding and Chaperones
- Guide Questions for Module 8
Module 9: Translational Regulation
- Introduction to Translational Regulation
- Regulation of Specific mRNAs
- Regulation of Global Translation
- Guide Questions for Module 9
Module 10: Integrating Concepts from Modules 1-8 via p53
Module 11: Introduction to Recombinant DNA
- Explaining the Need for Molecular Tools
- Defining Recombinant DNA and Restriction Endonucleases
- Fundamentals for Generating a Recombinant Plasmids
- Restriction Digest + Electrophoresis as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
- cDNA Cloning as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
- Guide Questions for Module 11
Module 12: Using Recombinant DNA as a Tool in Cell Biology Research
- Expression Plasmids, Transfection, and Infection
- Transient vs. Stable Transfections
- Site-Directed Mutagenesis – A Tool to Generate Mutant Proteins
- GFP and GFP-fusion Proteins
- Transgenic Animals
- siRNA Transfection to Knockdown a Protein of Interest
- Guide Questions for Module 12
Module 13: Antibodies as Tools in Cell Biology Research
- What are Antibodies?
- Generating Antibodies to a Desired Antigen for Use in Research
- Immunocytochemistry – A Technique to Visualize a Protein’s Location
- Immunoblot – A Technique to Examine Protein Levels
- Immunoprecipitation – A Technique to Detect Protein-Protein Interactions
- Guide Questions for Module 13
Module 14a: Introduction to Protein Sorting within Cells
- The Concept of Protein Sorting
- mRNA Localization – Mechanism of Pre-translational Protein Sorting
- Guide Questions for Module 14a
Module 14b: Nuclear Localization – One Example of Post-translational Protein Sorting
- Nuclear Localization Signals – Tags for Nuclear Import of Proteins
- Importins and Ran – Central Mediators of Nuclear Import
- Regulation of Nuclear Import – NF-kB and Pho4 as Examples
- Guide Questions for Module 14b
Module 14c: Protein Sorting via the Secretory Pathway and Vesicular Transport
- Defining the “Secretory Pathway”
- Palade’s Discovery of the Secretory Pathway
- Signal Sequences, SRP, and the SRP Receptor – Critical Machinery for Protein Entry into the Secretory Pathway
- Asides on Protein Import into the Rough ER
- Overview of Vesicular Transport
- Recapping the Basics of Vesicular Transport within the Secretory Pathway
- Vesicle Budding and Vesicle Coat Proteins
- Protein Sorting and Sorting Receptors
- Vesicle Fusion, Rabs, and SNAREs
- Guide Questions for Module 14c
Module 14d: Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Module 15: The Cytoskeleton
- Overview of the Cytoskeleton
- Microtubules
- Actin Filaments
- Intermediate Filaments
- Guide Questions for Module 15
Module 16: Cell Signaling
- Overview of Cell Signaling
- Hormones and Nuclear Receptors
- G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
- Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)
- Overview of Intracellular Signaling Pathways
- The cAMP Pathway
- Second Messengers
- The ERK MAP Kinase Pathway
- The PI 3-kinase/Akt Pathway
- Guide Questions for Module 16
Module 17: The Cell Cycle
- Overview of the Cell Cycle
- Control Points during Cell Cycle Progression
- Cdk’s and Cyclins – Central Regulators of Cell Cycle Entry and Progression
- Regulation of Cell Cycle Entry by Growth Factors and the ERK MAP Kinase Pathway
- Regulation of Cdk’s by DNA Damage Checkpoints
- Overview of M Phase
- The Mitotic Kinases and the G2 to M Phase Transition
- APC and the Metaphase to Anaphase Transition
- Guide Questions for Module 17
Module 18: Cell Death by Apoptosis
- Overview of Programmed Cell Death and Apoptosis
- Hallmarks of Apoptosis
- Caspases – Cell Executioners during Apoptosis
- The Bcl-2 Family – Central Regulators of Cytochrome c Release and Entry into Apoptosis
- The BH3-only Proteins – The Convergence Point for Apoptotic Stimuli
- Guide Questions for Module 18