Course Identification

Cell biology course

This course will offer basic experience in specific aspects of cell biology. We will use mammalian tissue culture to study different aspects of cell transformation by oncogenes. Both lectures and hands-on practice will be offered.

We will compare the effect of several drugs on the cell cycle and cytoskeleton in normal and transformed cells. We will study the cytoskeleton and cell morphology changes resulting from the cancer transformation process. We will assess the effect of several cytoskeletal-perturbing drugs on the morphology and motility behavior of the cells.

Several methodologies will be employed, including methods for the assessment of cell migration, FACS, immunostaining, and phase and fluorescent microscopy.

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the cell transformation from normal to cancerous.
2. Demonstrate knowledge about cell cytoskeleton and cell adhesion.
3. Describe methods of visualization and analysis of cell adhesion, migration, and cell cycle.
4. Explain how to analyze data from microscopic, FACS, and other sources.