NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF CELL BIOLOGY
David D. Sabatini
Chairman
CELL BIOLOGY IN MEDICINE
SYLLABUS
G16.2104
2004-2005
Course Director
(Department Cell Biology )
Gert Kreibich
Office Location (MSB697D)
Telephone:(212) 263 – 5317
Editor
Gert Kreibich
INTRODUCTION
Course Objective
The Cell Biology in Medicine Unit is part of the Cells and Basic Tissues Module, which also includes the Histology of Basic Tissues, Cellular Physiology, and the Immunology Units. The objective of the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit is to familiarize first year medical students with the current understanding of key functions of the eukaryotic cell, which will allow them to interpret material presented in preclinical and clinical courses. Building on the foundation of the Molecular Genetics-Biochemistry (MGB) Unit, our major goal will be to integrate our current understanding of subcellular structures with their functions, and how these relate to the diagnosis and therapy of human diseases. Several teaching approaches are used to meet this objective:
In the lectures the students are exposed to the major concepts of Cell Biology. They include discussions on the structure, function and biosynthesis of subcellular organelles and of the cytoskeletal elements. The relevance of this material to medicine is illustrated by the abnormal differentiation and development, the oncogenic transformation of cells and molecular and metabolic or subcellular changes that occur in various genetic diseases. This course also includes a laboratory session in which groups of about 13 students gain first hand experience in interpreting electron micrographs and in the application of immunocytochemistry in detecting cytoskeletal elements and junctions. In addition, we have introduced small group discussions where clinical case histories of patients are discussed and attempts made to relate diagnostic findings to molecular mechanisms. Diseases such as lysosomal enzyme storage diseases, epidermal blistering diseases, 1 Anti-Trypsin Deficiency, anemias caused by increased fragility of the red cell cytoskeleton (Hereditary Spherocytosis) are excellent examples where the cellular and biological basis have been elucidated. We have also introduced a case (Case 6) which allows us to discuss problems related to signal transduction mechanisms and the potential for receptor-targeted cancer therapy. The case on the function of the secreted factor Sonic Hedgehog will illuminate important concepts in development and differentiation. The different types of teaching approaches used in the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit complement each other and reinforce important concepts in Cell Biology.
Course Structure
i) Lectures
The unit consists of a series of lectures given by members of the Department of Cell Biology and invited speakers from our Medical School. In addition, guests from other institutions were chosen to lecture on topics related to their research interests. The topics to be covered include: (i) selected aspects of molecular genetics; (ii) the structure and function of biological membranes; (iii) the function, dynamics and biogenesis of subcellular organelles; (iv) the function and organization of cytoskeletal elements, and (v) the function of growth factors in cell differentiation and development. The importance of research in molecular and cellular biology to clinical medicine will be emphasized.
(ii) Case Discussions
We will discuss in small groups six clinical cases of inherited diseases. Using diagnostic data obtained from a patient, students will make attempts to understand the molecular basis of the observed symptoms.
Case 1: Hereditary Spherocytosis (Jan. 5 and 6).
Case 2: a 1-Anti-Trypsin Deficiency Disease (Jan. 6, 10 and 11).
Case 3: Lysosomal Storage Disease (Jan. 5 and 12).
Case 4: Epidermolysis Bullosa (Jan. 18 & 19). Based on the clinical picture of a patient and on laboratory tests students will be guided towards an understanding of the molecular basis of the symptoms. One part of the laboratory on January 4 and 5 deals with cytoskeletal elements and cellular junctions, a topic closely related to this case.
Case 5: The Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in Human Disease (January 20 and 24). This case is concerned with the signaling function of sonic hedgehog. Three related cases will be discussed.
A: A case of multiple congenital abnormality associated with one metabolic defect.
B: Holoproencephaly
C: Basal Nevus Syndrome or Gorlin’s Syndrome
Case 6: HER2 and its Potential for Receptor Targeted Cancer Therapy (Jan. 19, 20 and 26)
At the beginning of each Case Discussions there will be a 5 min quiz.
The small group sessions will be used for an in depth discussion of the molecular and cell biological basis of the genetic diseases. For these exercises the class will be subdivided into 13 groups of about 13 students each; for assignment to a specific group and room please see pages SC2-3 and SC8-15, respectively.
(iii) Laboratory
The laboratory session has been designed to aid students in the interpretation of fluorescent and electron micrographs, as well as with the application of immunocytochemistry to research and pathology. It also serves to introduce the morphology of cellular junctions.
The class will be divided into the twelve sections (see SC-9). Your section assignment is based on a code consisting of the letter A, B, D and E, together with a numeral (1-33); (see class list pp. SC2 and 3).
As stated above, the purpose of the Laboratory is to aid students in understanding the material presented in the Lectures and to provide them with a foundation needed to interpret morphological material presented in the Histology and Pathology courses. The Laboratory should not be viewed as a meaningless compulsory exercise; rather it should be regarded as a valuable opportunity to learn by experience.
(iv) Review conferences
Will be givenon Jan. 13 before the exam on Jan. 17 and on Jan. 27 before the final exam on Jan. 30.
( v) Examinations
Examinations will cover lectures, laboratories
and case studies of the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit.
There will be two exams: The first, on Tuesday, January 17, will cover the material presented in the lectures from Tuesday, January 3 up to Thursday, January 12, the Case Discussion 1, 2 and 3, and the Cell Structure Laboratory.
This exam will consist of a “written” part (multiple choice type questions) and a "practical" part. The latter consists of a slide exam where students will be asked to respond to approximately 30 questions based on transparencies that will be projected in the Lecture Hall. The slide exam is mainly based on the material presented in the laboratory (Jan. 4 or 5) on Cell Structure and will emphasize basic cellular structures. The micrographs shown in the enclosed Cell Biology Atlas and the handout for the Filament and Junction laboratory provide you with representative images. Although you are expected to recognize what technique was used to obtain a certain micrograph (i.e. thin section electron microscopy (EM), scanning EM, negative staining, freeze fracture EM, immunocytochemistry), you will not be examined on the technical details.
The second exam on Monday, January 30, will be cumulative covering all the material presented throughout the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit. The emphasis will be on the material given after Jan. 18, and on information disseminated in the Laboratory, and in Case Discussions 4, 5 and 6. This exam will consist of a "written" and a "practical" portion. The written part consist of about 70 multiple choice type questions. In the practical portion (part II) we will project about 30 slides of light and electron micrographs.
In order to pass the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit you have to pass the written and slide portions of part of both Exams.
M.D.-Ph.D. students will take their exams together with the rest of the Medical student class.
A more detailed discussion of the material to be covered, including the format will be provided in advance of each exam.
Course Materials
(i) Syllabus
The Syllabus for the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit has been written and compiled to provide you with a lab guide and background material for the Case Discussions.
The Introduction to the Syllabus is intended to indicate in broad terms what we expect you to learn and how the course will be conducted.
Following are two sections of useful reference material (Function and Composition of Organelles, and an Atlas of Electron Micrographs) and a manual for the laboratory session. The manual begins with an Introduction where the scope and objectives are stated and continues with Background information on the tasks to be carried out. It is important that students carefully study this background information before coming to the Laboratory Session or the Case Discussions. Study questions provided are for your own use and will not be corrected.
A useful guide of the extent of knowledge expected of the students is being able to answer the study questions.
(ii) Audio-visual Aids
Units of 35 mm slides dealing with specific subjects will be available in the Library. As part of each unit there is a legend with a description of each slide. The units remain in the Library for the duration of the course, so that you may use them at your leisure.
(iii) The Molecular Biology Computer Module
An important aspect of the study of Cell Biology is an understanding of the morphology of the various parts of a cell and the experimental techniques used to visualize them. This syllabus contains an atlas of electron micrographs demonstrating the various organelles and cellular processes which should be studied in conjunction with the material presented in the laboratory and the lectures and small group discussions. To test your own mastery of the material, a self-test module will be available on all computers connected to the NYU School of Medicine Network. Look under “Course Ware” of the Cell Biology in Medicine Unit.
This computer module stresses first your ability to identify various organelles and the microscopic techniques used in the creation of different electron micrographs. Questions relating basic structure to function are also included. In addition, from the self-test module you can access a good deal of textual information contained within the computer in several tutorial stacks. These stacks may also be examined individually. Since this body of information may not be complete or up to date at this time, please refer to your notes or text in case a question arises. To the extent the material was introduced in the laboratory on January 4, and 5 the material will be part of the practical part of Exam I.
(iv) Readings
The required text for the course is "Molecular Biology of the Cell" by Alberts, Bray, Lewis, Raff, Roberts and Watson, Garland Publishing, Inc., New York, London, fourth edition, 2002. Copies are on reserve in the Library.
The specific parts of the Alberts Textbook dealing with the material presented in the lectures are indicated in the schedule (SC4 to 7).
Lecture handouts will be provided, especially when the material is not adequately covered in the textbook. We will also make an effort to provide you with study questions pertaining to the lectures, and to post slides and handouts on your web page.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SCHEDULE
The Cell Biology in Medicine Unit consists of Lectures, Laboratories, Case Discussions and Review Conferences
Lectures are given for the whole class in Schwartz Lecture Hall F or E, as indicated.
For the Review Conference on Friday Jan. 13 the class will be divided into two groups (students with codes containing the letters A, B and C-I will meet in Coles 101, and those with codes containing the letters C-II, D and E, in Coles 109) as shown in the class list (pp. SC-2-3).
The Review Conference on Friday Jan. 27 will be given to the whole class in Classroom F.
For the laboratory on Jan. 4 or 5, the class will be divided in twelve sections. The detailed laboratory schedule for every section is shown on page SC9.
For the Case Discussions the class will be subdivided into 13 groups. For the room assignment see p. SC10 to 15.
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