Signal Transduction (BIO 467)

2019 Spring
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Mol.Bio.Genetic&Bioengin.(BIO)
3
6
Batu Erman batu@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
NS201
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture,Seminar
Interactive,Communicative,Discussion based learning,Case Study
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CONTENT

The molecular mechanisms by which environmental signals are received by cells and translated into a biological response such as development, cell behavior, immune response are currently one of the most-studied areas in modern biology. In this course several prototype- signalling pathways to discuss the mechanistic concepts in signal transduction, to present state-of-art research, and to discuss various experimental approaches will be presented. The most relevant concepts of signal transduction, i.e. protein-protein interactions, phosphorylation and GTP-binding proteins will be discussed.

OBJECTIVE

To teach modern molecular, cellular and organismal concepts of signal transduction so that each student can understand how cells interact with each other.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • By the end of this course the student should be able to understand the methods used in immunological research.
  • Perform literature searches, download research papers and identify and understand by reading relevant parts of a research paper, in particular if a technique described in a research paper is not familiar to the student, he/she should be able to perform literature searches to identify resources that will allow an understanding of this technique.
  • Make connections between different research papers and discuss the hierarchical and historical contributions different research papers made to the field.
  • Understand the basic principles of signal transduction mechanisms, in particular the concepts of response specificity, signal duration and termination and intracellular localization of signaling molecules.
  • Give examples of different types of extracellular signals, receptors and transcription factors and explain their functional significance.
  • Describe the mechanisms by which different receptors may be activated by their respective ligands.
  • Describe and give examples of the structure and properties of the major components of signal transduction pathways.
  • Understand and give examples of the role of protein binding domains in the specific interactions between signaling molecules.
  • Understand the molecular events that occur in a cell (such as post-translational modification of signaling molecules and nuclear translocation of transcription factors) after a receptor is triggered to give a signal to a cell.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 3

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 3

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 4

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 3


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 3

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 4

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 3

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 3

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 4

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 2

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 4

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions. 3


1. Comprehend key concepts in biology and physiology, with emphasis on molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular and cell biology as well as advanced mathematics and statistics. 4

2. Develop conceptual background for interfacing of biology with engineering for a professional awareness of contemporary biological research questions and the experimental and theoretical methods used to address them. 4


1. Use mathematics (including derivative and integral calculations, probability and statistics, differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and discrete mathematics), basic sciences, computer and programming, and electronics engineering knowledge to (a) Design and analyze complex electronic circuits, instruments, software and electronics systems with hardware/software or (b) Design and analyze communication networks and systems, signal processing algorithms or software 2


1. Applying fundamental and advanced knowledge of natural sciences as well as engineering principles to develop and design new materials and establish the relation between internal structure and physical properties using experimental, computational and theoretical tools. 4

2. Merging the existing knowledge on physical properties, design limits and fabrication methods in materials selection for a particular application or to resolve material performance related problems. 3

3. Predicting and understanding the behavior of a material under use in a specific environment knowing the internal structure or vice versa. 3

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Quiz 30
Term-Paper 20
Participation 50

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

Cellular Signal Processing: An Introduction to the Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction. Friedrich Marks, Ursula Klingmuller, Karin Muller-Decker ISBN 0-8153-4215-2 Either first or second edition.

Readings

Course will require readings of current research and review papers from Journals such as Cell, Immunity, Nature, Nature Immunology, Science, PNAS and Journal of Biological Chemistry. Students will read at least two research papers and one review paper every week for 14 weeks.