MSCBMP2840 - Regulation of Membrane Traffic
Organizers:
Gerard Apodaca, Ph.D. – 982 Scaife Hall – 383-8893 – gla6@pitt.edu
Ora Weisz, Ph.D. – 978 Scaife Hall – 383-8891 – weisz@msx.dept-med.pitt.edu
Participating Faculty:
Gerard L. Apodaca, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8893 -- gla6@pitt.edu
Meir Aridor, Ph.D. -- 412-624-1970 -- aridor@pitt.edu
Rebecca P. Hughey, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8949 -- hugheyr@pitt.edu
Linton M. Traub, Ph.D. -- 412-648-9711 -- traub@pitt.edu
Ora A. Weisz, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8891 -- weisz@msx.dept-med.pitt.edu
Focus of the class:
While the focus of this course is to analyze membrane/protein traffic along both the biosynthetic and endocytic pathways, our general goal is to teach students how to read and interpret the literature. In particular, we emphasize the conclusions of the assigned papers, examine the experimental basis of these conclusions, and discuss their validity. The course is updated each year to include topics in which new and interesting developments have occurred. Emphasis is placed on how membrane traffic is regulated and how it is disrupted or subverted during disease processes. The course is of general interest to students, fellows, and faculty interested in cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and virology.
Meeting times and place:
Class will meet each Tuesday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the renal conference room, F1145 PUH. (This room is located in Presbyterian Hospital and is near the 11th floor cafeteria.). Your attendance is required at every session.
Structure of the course and how you will be evaluated:
There will be no formal test. Instead, your grade will depend on your participation (50%), and an ~30 minute mini-lecture (50%) that you will prepare as an introduction for one of the sessions described below.
Each session begins with a mini-lecture. In your mini-lecture you will provide background information on a designated subject so that any reasonable person can understand the subject and its significance. You will prepare a handout that your classmates can treasure and use as reference in their future studies. In this handout include a bibliography citing any reference material that you found useful in preparing your lecture. The lecture should be no longer than 30 minutes. The best way to assess the length of your presentation is to practice it, out loud, before a mock audience. Leave a few minutes for the plethora of questions you will receive. After reading the papers you can consult with the faculty about topics that should be included in your mini-lecture.
Following the mini-lecture we begin the discussion of the assigned papers. We always start the session by answering questions about unfamiliar techniques or ideas. No question is stupid, and any question you may have is likely one that other students have as well. We then examine each paper. Particular emphasis is placed on the hypothesis or questions being answered, the conclusions of the papers, and the experiments that support these conclusions. We spend time discussing proposed models, and alternative models. Finally, we also discuss ways in which you could test these alternative models.
Participation in these sessions is assessed as follows. We will try our hardest to promote exciting discussion and an open exchange of ideas. In return, we expect that you will be dynamic, excited, and gung-ho about the lectures, presenters, and papers. These qualities will be reflected in the numerous questions you will ask of the other participants. There is no expectation that you will know or understand everything. Participation means that you ask questions when you don’t understand or when you want to know more. N.B. Your organizers will ensure that everyone participates.
For more details contact Gerard L. Apodaca, Ph.D.
Gerard Apodaca, Ph.D. – 982 Scaife Hall – 383-8893 – gla6@pitt.edu
Ora Weisz, Ph.D. – 978 Scaife Hall – 383-8891 – weisz@msx.dept-med.pitt.edu
Participating Faculty:
Gerard L. Apodaca, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8893 -- gla6@pitt.edu
Meir Aridor, Ph.D. -- 412-624-1970 -- aridor@pitt.edu
Rebecca P. Hughey, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8949 -- hugheyr@pitt.edu
Linton M. Traub, Ph.D. -- 412-648-9711 -- traub@pitt.edu
Ora A. Weisz, Ph.D. -- 412-383-8891 -- weisz@msx.dept-med.pitt.edu
Focus of the class:
While the focus of this course is to analyze membrane/protein traffic along both the biosynthetic and endocytic pathways, our general goal is to teach students how to read and interpret the literature. In particular, we emphasize the conclusions of the assigned papers, examine the experimental basis of these conclusions, and discuss their validity. The course is updated each year to include topics in which new and interesting developments have occurred. Emphasis is placed on how membrane traffic is regulated and how it is disrupted or subverted during disease processes. The course is of general interest to students, fellows, and faculty interested in cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and virology.
Meeting times and place:
Class will meet each Tuesday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the renal conference room, F1145 PUH. (This room is located in Presbyterian Hospital and is near the 11th floor cafeteria.). Your attendance is required at every session.
Structure of the course and how you will be evaluated:
There will be no formal test. Instead, your grade will depend on your participation (50%), and an ~30 minute mini-lecture (50%) that you will prepare as an introduction for one of the sessions described below.
Each session begins with a mini-lecture. In your mini-lecture you will provide background information on a designated subject so that any reasonable person can understand the subject and its significance. You will prepare a handout that your classmates can treasure and use as reference in their future studies. In this handout include a bibliography citing any reference material that you found useful in preparing your lecture. The lecture should be no longer than 30 minutes. The best way to assess the length of your presentation is to practice it, out loud, before a mock audience. Leave a few minutes for the plethora of questions you will receive. After reading the papers you can consult with the faculty about topics that should be included in your mini-lecture.
Following the mini-lecture we begin the discussion of the assigned papers. We always start the session by answering questions about unfamiliar techniques or ideas. No question is stupid, and any question you may have is likely one that other students have as well. We then examine each paper. Particular emphasis is placed on the hypothesis or questions being answered, the conclusions of the papers, and the experiments that support these conclusions. We spend time discussing proposed models, and alternative models. Finally, we also discuss ways in which you could test these alternative models.
Participation in these sessions is assessed as follows. We will try our hardest to promote exciting discussion and an open exchange of ideas. In return, we expect that you will be dynamic, excited, and gung-ho about the lectures, presenters, and papers. These qualities will be reflected in the numerous questions you will ask of the other participants. There is no expectation that you will know or understand everything. Participation means that you ask questions when you don’t understand or when you want to know more. N.B. Your organizers will ensure that everyone participates.
For more details contact Gerard L. Apodaca, Ph.D.