Course Materials

Module 1: Fundamental Concepts for this Course – video coming soon

Module 2: Molecule of the Cells

  1. Carbohydrates
  2. Nucleic Acids
  3. Lipids
  4. Proteins
  5. Guide Questions for Module 2

Module 3: Protein Function and Regulation

  1. Protein Functions
  2. Allosteric Regulation
  3. Phosphorylation
  4. Protein-Protein Interactions
  5. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
  6. Guide Questions for Module 3

Module 4: Fundamentals of Genetic Inheritance and Expression

  1. Identification of DNA as the Genetic Material of Cells
  2. Experimental Demonstration of Semi-conservative DNA Replication
  3. Experimental Determination of Fundamental Features of Gene Expression
  4. Guide Questions for Module 4

Module 5: DNA Replication

  1. Fundamentals of DNA Replication at the Replication Fork
  2. Initiation of DNA Replication at Origins of Replication (ori)
  3. Maintenance of Telomeres during DNA Replication
  4. Guide Questions for Module 5

Module 6: Basic Transcription

  1. The Fundamentals of Gene Expression
  2. Transcription Initiation to Termination
  3. Eukaryotic mRNA Processing
  4. Guide Questions for Module 6

Module 7: Transcriptional Regulation

  1. Addressing the Concept of “Transcriptional Regulation”
  2. The Lac Operon s the Prototype Example of Transcriptional Regulation
  3. Transcription Factors, DNA-Binding Domains, & Transcription Factor Binding Sites
  4. Transcription Factor Activation and Repressions Domains
  5. Summary of Transcriptional Regulation
  6. Guide Questions for Module 7

Module 8: Basic Translation and Protein Folding

  1. Overview of the Basic Translation Machinery
  2. Three Stages of Translation and the Translation Factors
  3. Protein Folding and Chaperones
  4. Guide Questions for Module 8

Module 9: Translational Regulation

  1. Introduction to Translational Regulation
  2. Regulation of Specific mRNAs
  3. Regulation of Global Translation
  4. Guide Questions for Module 9

Module 10: Integrating Concepts from Modules 1-8 via p53

  1. Function and Regulation of the Transcription Factor p53
  2. Guide Questions for Module 10

Module 11: Introduction to Recombinant DNA

  1. Explaining the Need for Molecular Tools
  2. Defining Recombinant DNA and Restriction Endonucleases
  3. Fundamentals for Generating a Recombinant Plasmids
  4. Restriction Digest + Electrophoresis as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
  5. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
  6. cDNA Cloning as a Means to Isolate DNA Inserts
  7. Guide Questions for Module 11

Module 12: Using Recombinant DNA as a Tool in Cell Biology Research

  1. Expression Plasmids, Transfection, and Infection
  2. Transient vs. Stable Transfections
  3. Site-Directed Mutagenesis – A Tool to Generate Mutant Proteins
  4. GFP and GFP-fusion Proteins
  5. Transgenic Animals
  6. siRNA Transfection to Knockdown a Protein of Interest
  7. Guide Questions for Module 12

Module 13: Antibodies as Tools in Cell Biology Research

  1. What are Antibodies?
  2. Generating Antibodies to a Desired Antigen for Use in Research
  3. Immunocytochemistry – A Technique to Visualize a Protein’s Location
  4. Immunoblot – A Technique to Examine Protein Levels
  5. Immunoprecipitation – A Technique to Detect Protein-Protein Interactions
  6. Guide Questions for Module 13

Module 14a: Introduction to Protein Sorting within Cells

  1. The Concept of Protein Sorting
  2. mRNA Localization – Mechanism of Pre-translational Protein Sorting
  3. Guide Questions for Module 14a

Module 14b: Nuclear Localization – One Example of Post-translational Protein Sorting

  1. Nuclear Localization Signals – Tags for Nuclear Import of Proteins
  2. Importins and Ran – Central Mediators of Nuclear Import
  3. Regulation of Nuclear Import – NF-kB and Pho4 as Examples
  4. Guide Questions for Module 14b

Module 14c: Protein Sorting via the Secretory Pathway and Vesicular Transport

  1. Defining the “Secretory Pathway”
  2. Palade’s Discovery of the Secretory Pathway
  3. Signal Sequences, SRP, and the SRP Receptor – Critical Machinery for Protein Entry into the Secretory Pathway
  4. Asides on Protein Import into the Rough ER
  5. Overview of Vesicular Transport
  6. Recapping the Basics of Vesicular Transport within the Secretory Pathway
  7. Vesicle Budding and Vesicle Coat Proteins
  8. Protein Sorting and Sorting Receptors
  9. Vesicle Fusion, Rabs, and SNAREs
  10. Guide Questions for Module 14c

Module 14d: Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

  1. Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
  2. Guide Questions for Module 14d

Module 15: The Cytoskeleton

  1. Overview of the Cytoskeleton
  2. Microtubules
  3. Actin Filaments
  4. Intermediate Filaments
  5. Guide Questions for Module 15

Module 16: Cell Signaling

  1. Overview of Cell Signaling
  2. Hormones and Nuclear Receptors
  3. G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
  4. Receptor Protein Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs)
  5. Overview of Intracellular Signaling Pathways
  6. The cAMP Pathway
  7. Second Messengers
  8. The ERK MAP Kinase Pathway
  9. The PI 3-kinase/Akt Pathway
  10. Guide Questions for Module 16

Module 17: The Cell Cycle

  1. Overview of the Cell Cycle
  2. Control Points during Cell Cycle Progression
  3. Cdk’s and Cyclins – Central Regulators of Cell Cycle Entry and Progression
  4. Regulation of Cell Cycle Entry by Growth Factors and the ERK MAP Kinase Pathway
  5. Regulation of Cdk’s by DNA Damage Checkpoints
  6. Overview of M Phase
  7. The Mitotic Kinases and the G2 to M Phase Transition
  8. APC and the Metaphase to Anaphase Transition
  9. Guide Questions for Module 17

Module 18: Cell Death by Apoptosis

  1. Overview of Programmed Cell Death and Apoptosis
  2. Hallmarks of Apoptosis
  3. Caspases – Cell Executioners during Apoptosis
  4. The Bcl-2 Family – Central Regulators of Cytochrome c Release and Entry into Apoptosis
  5. The BH3-only Proteins – The Convergence Point for Apoptotic Stimuli
  6. Guide Questions for Module 18