Biochemistry of Signal Transduction and Membrane Biophysics

Unit 1 - Signal Transduction 3 cfu - borrowed from the course of Molecular Biology of the Cell (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLA CELLULA)

This module of the course focuses on mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction in animal cells. We will analyze specific topics on different well-characterized signaling pathways, and important, useful experimental approaches to study signal transduction. The course will also have in-depth discussion of specific topics in the signaling field.

General principles of signal transduction
Signaling by Tyrosine kinase receptors: the Insulin receptor
mTOR signaling and translational control
Cellular and molecular responses to cell stress signals
Critical analysis of research articles related to the course's topics


Teaching materials
All the material used for the classes will be made available at the dedicated Ariel website.


Specific requests and examination modalities
Goodknowledge of molecular and cell biologyand of the basic principle of Physics is highly recommended.
Exam modality
Unit 1: oral.Students will have to criticallyanalyze, in the form of an oral presentation, a scientific paper chosen among the ones made available by the teachers.The presentation, consisting in a short introduction of the biological problem, and the critical analysis of the experiments reported in the paper, will be followed by discussion with the teacher on the signaling mechanisms analysed in the research article.


Teaching methods
The classes will have a classical format with lessons given by the teachers during which the students will be stimulated to actively participate with questions and comments related to the considered subject.
Attendance is highly recommended.


Language
English


Program information
Powerpoint slides and original papers will be available of the dedicated Ariel website.


WEB page
Unit 1: ariel.unimi.it > Signal Transduction
http://signaltransduction.ariel.ctu.unimi.it

Unit 2 -membrane biophysics 3 cfu
This module will cover basic aspects of membrane biophysics: role of lipids and proteins; membrane microdomains and lipid-protein interactions; lipid rafts and caveolae; principles of ions movements; passive and active properties of the plasma membrane; Ion channel structure and function; generation of the electrical signals in excitable cells, conduction of the action potentials; the neuromuscular junction; biomembranes in excitation contraction coupling in cardiac and skeletal muscles.


Teaching materials
All the material used for the classes will be made available at the dedicated Ariel website.


Specific requests and examination modalities
Good knowledge of molecular and cell biologyand of the basic principle of Physics is highly recommended.
Exam modality
Unit2: the exam will consist in an oral test on topics discussed during the course

Teaching methods
The classes will have a classical format with lessons given by the teachers during which the students will be stimulated to actively participate with questions and comments related to the considered subject.
Attendance is highly recommended.


Language
English


Program information
Powerpoint slides and original papers will be available of the dedicated Ariel website.