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Description
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This module concentrates on the key questions and state-of-the-art techniques in modern cell biology. As the lecturers are active researchers in their fields they can provide students with not just background information but also cutting-edge research and primary knowledge of these.
There will be a particular emphasis on modern imaging approaches and techniques allowing the monitoring of the dynamics of cellular processes. Contributors include experts in the rapidly growing disciplines of super-resolution microscopy, membrane and cytoskeletal dynamics, and imaging of gene expression in living cells. The module will also provide an understanding of how key topics in modern cell biology relate to research questions in the field and related disease conditions.
Live Cell Imaging is a key tool in modern cell biology, and a firm understanding of imaging techniques, advantages and limitations is essential. We therefore have a lecture on imaging techniques followed by imaging practicals on confocal microscopes; each student attends on session 鈥� in a small group so that everyone gets the chance to drive a confocal microscope and generate multicolour images of cells themselves. This should help with laboratory research projects as well as the understanding of images in research papers. The assignment for the imaging practical comprises capturing a high-resolution image, and writing this up to explain what you did to acquire the image, and the concepts behind these steps.
All students will be assessed by a final 7-day take-home exam paper and coursework in the form of a practical write-up.听 In addition Level 7 students will write a coursework essay.
This module is an option for students on Biosciences and Natural Sciences programmes, and may be taken as an elective module by students (including affiliate students) on other degree programmes.
Indicative lecture topics (based on module content from the past couple of years):
- Introduction to module and doing a PhD
- Introduction to confocal microscopy
- Super-resolution microscopy
- Actin and intermediate filaments
- Cell migration in tissues
- Endocytosis and lysosomal sorting
- Cell mechanics and cell division
- Use of the cytoskeleton to control Shigella infection
- Cellular senescence
- Calcium mobilizing messengers
- Non-coding RNAs
- Genome organization and function
- Chromatin regulation: Controlling transcription and maintaining cell state
- Transcription.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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