Organelle Biology and Cellular Function

MCB 127 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

What is the definition of subcellular organelles? Why do our cells need to be compartmentalized? How do individual proteins traffic into their final destinations to perform distinct functions in our cells? In this class, we will explore the organelles present in our cells and the specialized functions they perform to maintain cellular metabolism. Additionally, we will examine how dysregulation in organelle functions contributes to diseases and what therapeutic strategies are currently available.

This course consists of weekly, in-depth lecture sessions and primary literature discussion sessions. Each week, you'll engage in complementary sessions — 'lecture' and 'discussion' — that help enhance your understanding of how the current knowledge of organelle biology has been shaped by research and what open questions remain in the field.

In lecture sessions, you will learn about the historical discoveries of individual subcellular organelles and classical and modern methodologies used to study organelle functions. Topics covered include fundamental cellular compartments mainly involved in cellular metabolism, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, lysosomes, lipid droplets, stress granules, and peroxisomes, as well as their communication. During primary literature discussion sessions, you will learn to identify key questions in cell biology and design critical experiments to address those questions. For the final project, you will draw upon insights acquired from the classes to identify open questions in organelle biology and design a key experiment to address those questions. The final project will be submitted as a final term paper and also presented in class.

This course presents an exceptional opportunity to explore the importance of subcellular compartmentalization and its unique contributions to cell metabolism in physiology and diseases.