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120.606.01
Cellular Stress in Physiology and Disease

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2021 - 2022
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
Tu, Th, 10:30 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Students should have a background of undergraduate or graduate level coursework in Molecular Biology.

Description
Discuss molecular mechanisms through which eukaryotes maintain cellular homeostasis in response to stress. Stress response pathways are examined at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels; topics include stress and transcription, RNA processing, and protein quality control. Organelle-specific stress response, such as ER stress and mitochondrion stress responses, are also discussed. Additionally, molecular mechanisms of cellular responses to environmental stimuli, such as heat, hypoxic, oxidative, and starvation stressors, are examined.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand why the ability to maintain homeostasis in response to environmental stress is critical for cellular survival and functions.
  2. Overview the current understanding of stress response pathways at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels
  3. Examine organelle-specific stress response, such as ER stress and mitochondrion stress responses.
  4. Understand the mechanisms through which cells adapt to heat, osmotic, hypoxic, oxidative, and starvation stresses.
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 40% Midterm
  • 40% Final Exam
  • 20% Discussion
Enrollment Restriction
All undergraduate students require consent before registering for this course