Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Academic year: 2008-2009 Course code module 1MBMW-K-006 Semester: 1st semester Credits: 6 Study load (hours) 168 Theory (hours): 30,00 Practice/Exercises(hours): Other (hours): 15,00 Part-time program: 1/2 Instructor(s) Erik De Schutter Dirk Snyders Jean Pierre Timmermans Adam Raes Language of instruction: English Semester exam information: exam in the 1st semester Contract restriction information: 1. Prerequisites *Algemene competenties Human anatomy, histology and physiology (BA1-2) Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology (BA3) *Sequentiality 2. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) Knowledge and understanding of the biophysical and molecular mechanisms of neural excitability, synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Knowledge and understanding of the molecular biophysics of gating and permeation of ion channels. Practical experience in patch clamping and Ca2+ imaging. Critical evaluation and presentation of original research papers. 3. Course content Synaptic transmission Presynaptic mechanisms: neurotransmitters, vesicle cycle and quantal release Postsynaptic mechanisms: ionotropic and metabotropic receptors, pharmacology Short-term plasticity and dynamic synapses Long-term plasticity: molecular mechanisms and signal transduction Function of dendritic spines Spike-timing dependent plasticity, metaplasticity and homeostasis Voltage-gated ion channels Experimental procedures: voltage clamp, patch clamp, noise analyse, FRET Molecular biology and diversity of ion channels Molecular structure-function analysis and pharmacology Biophysical mechanisms of permeation Crystal structure of ion channels Computational biophysical models of voltage-gating Channel disorders: congenital and acquired disorders of excitability Neuronal excitability and processing Action potentials: generation, propagation and retrograde propagation Firing behavior: accomodation, bursting, afterhyperpolarisation Function of dendrites in synaptic integration Practical sessions Patch clamp experiments and analyse of cells expressing voltage-gated ion channels or neurons, in culture or in slice preparations Live cell Ca2+ imaging in neurons Use of computer models of gating, permeation and neural activitity Critical presentation and discussion or scientific papers related to the topics covered in theory. 4. Teaching method Direct contact: Lectures Practical sessions 5. Assessment method Exam: Oral, with written preparation Multiple choice 6. Compulsory reading – study material Hand-outs & research papers (on blackboard) Tex books: Squire LR, Roberts JL, Spitzer NC, Zigmond MJ, McConnell SK and Bloom FE (Eds.) Fundamental Neuroscience , 3rd ed., Academic Press, 2007, ISBN 0123740193. Hille B. Ion Channels of Excitable Membranes, 3rd ed. Sinauer, 2001, ISBN 0878933212 7. Recommended reading - study material Byrne J.H. and Roberts J.L. From Molecules to Networks. An Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Elsevier Academic Press, 2004, ISBN 0121486605 Sakmann, Neher. Single-Channel Recording (2nd Ed.), Plenum Press, 1995, ISBN 0-306-44870-X. http://nerve.bsd.uchicago.edu/ (web site F. Bezanilla) 8. Tutoring erik.deschutter@ua.ac.be, dirk.snyders@ua.ac.be , adam.raes@ua.ac.be laatste aanpassing: last update: 13/12/2007 11:41 annick.debroey