Course Syllabus

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 

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Draft Syllabus

Semester & Location:

Summer 2022 Session 3 - DIS Stockholm

Type & Credits:

Summer Course - 4 credits

Study Tour:

Austria/Hungary

Major Disciplines:

Neuroscience, Biology, Biomedicine/Biotechnology

Prerequisites:

One year of either biology or neuroscience, and one course in either molecular biology or genetics, all at university level.

Faculty Members:

Jan Mulder and Nicholas Mitsios (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)

Program Director:

Susana Dietrich sd@dis.dk

Time & Place:

Morning and afternoon classes in 1E-509

Faculty

Neuroscience-Jan-Mulder.jpg

Jan Mulder
PhD in molecular neurobiology (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 2005). Group leader at department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and the brain profiling efforts within the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) project since 2010. Research focus on identifying the cellular location of proteins linked to brain function and disease. MSc in biology (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 2000). With DIS since 2017.

Nick.jpg Nicholas Mitsios
BSc in Molecular Biology (Liverpool, 1998) and PhD in Molecular Biology of Ischemic Stroke (Manchester, 2005). Currently a researcher at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute and the Brain Profiling sub-unit of the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) project since 2011. Research focuses on the central nervous systems of mammals, with an emphasis on the identification of proteins involved in brain normal development and pathophysiology. 

Course Description

The complex cellular and molecular organization of the brain drives a variety of physiological and cognitive functions. In this course we explore gene expression and protein distribution on the level of organ, brain region, and cell. We utilize data and resources from the human protein atlas project and other public available data sets to learn the advantages and limitations of different approaches, validate results, and utilize the available complementary data to link genes to cells and cellular processes involved in ‘normal’ physiology or disease.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Describe the structure and function of the brain, with emphasis on brain anatomy,  cell types and gene functions
  • Explain the methodological principles of expression analysis
  • Perform an antibody based mapping experiment visualizing protein distribution in brain tissue
  • Utilize public available data-resources to investigate molecular properties and gene expression
  • Create an overview of the molecular and cellular components of neurological disorders
  • Integrate and validate data and be able to discuss the impact of results on what we know about brain function and disease processes

 

Approach to Teaching 

Different interactive teaching formats will be used. The course aims to provide an scaffold of fundamental knowledge to support the students exploration of the molecular and cellular aspects of brain functions. The course will have a case-based component and all students will have their 'protein of interest (determined by teacher). The students will explore the various data-sets to learn more about this protein.  This course will also have a laboratory component where the students will use immunofluorescence multiplex techniques to study protein distribution in brain material.  In addition, there will be group discussion and assignments to trigger critical thinking with respect to interpretation of results. 

 

Expectations of the Students

All students should have an interest in neuroscience and eager to learn more about the molecular and cellular organization of the brain. The students together with the teachers are responsible for creating an atmosphere based on respect, mutual interests and work attitude needed to make this course a success.  This course is an intensive 4 weeks of neuroscience including a 5 day study tour and 2 field studies. Students need to study before each lecture and  work on their assignments when not in class (approximately 2 hours for a 1 hour lecture). 

 

Required Readings 

The readings will be chapters of Netter's Atlas of Neuroscience E-Book (3rd ed.) by David L. Felten, Michael K. O'Banion, Mary E Maida, educational material available at the human protein atlas or other online knowledge resources and peer reviewed research and review articles: 

 

Field studies

This course will have one field study. This will be about the history of neuroscience and how technical advances over the last 100+ years shaped the field. For this we visit the Nobel museum and learn about some of the major discoveries in neuroscience.

 

Study Tour

The Study Tour is an integral part of the course. We take the classroom on the road and see how theory presented in the classroom is translated into practice in the field. You will travel with your classmates and DIS faculty/staff on a week long tour within Austria/Hungary.

 

Expectations for study tours

 

  • Participate in all activities
  • Engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
  • Respect the destination, the speakers, DIS staff, and your fellow classmates
  • Represent yourself, your home university and DIS in a positive light

 

While on a program study tour DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.

 

Travel policies: You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you wish to deviate from the group travel plans on the way back, you need approval from the assistant program director and the study tours office.   

 

Laboratory practicum

The students will perform a laboratory experiment at the Karolinska Institutet . The students will learn the basics of antibody based detection of proteins (immunohistochemistry) and apply this technique to 'stain' their protein of interest in normal or disease affected brain material (human or animal). The results of this experiments will be part of the assignments.

 

Evaluation and Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed. 

The factors influencing the final grade and the proportional importance of each factor is shown below:

 

Component

Weight

Participation and Engagement

10%

Quizzes

40%

Laboratory Work

10%

Study Tour Assignment

10%

Individual and Group Assignments

30%

 

Program 

Date Time activity - topic
Mo - July 4 Arrival day
Tue - July 5

13:00h-16:00h

Introduction to neuroscience I (cell types & functional organisation of the brain)
Wed - July 6 9:00h-12:00h Introduction to neuroscience II (signalling and other molecular features of the brain)
Thu - July 7 13:00h-16:00h Overview of publicly available neuroscience resources (methods & exploring data)
Fri - July 8 9:00h-12:00h Molecular landscape of the mammalian brain (species, organ, brain region and cellular perspective) 
Mo - July 11 Study tour 
Tue - July 12 Study tour 
Wed - July 13 Study tour 
Thu - July 14 Study tour 
Fri - July 15 Study tour 
Mo - July 18 14:00h-17:00h Individual assignments - case presentation
Tue - July 19

11:00h-12:00h

14.00h-16.00h

Quiz 1

Day 1 laboratory class - introduction 

Wed - July 20

15:00h-17:00h

9:00h-17:00h

Science Fika (check your group)

Day 2 laboratory class (morning and afternoon groups)

Thu - July 21

15:00h-17:00h

9:00h-17:00h

Science Fika (check your group) 

Day 3 laboratory class (morning and afternoon groups) 

Fri - July 22 10:00h-12:00h  Bioinformatics and data analysis (Basic principles of data normalisation and analysis - transcriptomics data)
Mo - July 25 13:00h-16:00h Molecular and cellular neurobiology of disease I (neurodegenerative disorders)
Tue - July 26 9:00h-12:00h Molecular and cellular neurobiology of disease II (psychiatric disorders)
Wed - July 27 13:00h-16:00h Challenges and future perspectives in translational neuroscience (disease models, clinical diagnosis and treatment of disorders)
Thu - July 28 10:00h-13:00h Field study in Nobel Museum (Major discoveries in Neuroscience from a 2022 perspective)
Fri - July 29 10:00h-12:00h Quiz 2 - Presentations of group assignment

 

 

Expectations of Students & Code of Conduct

  • The teachers encourage the students to bring laptops and/or tablets to class. These should ONLY be be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignments in the classroom.
  • Reading must be done prior to the class session; a huge part of the class is dependent on discussions in class.
  • Students need to be present and participating to receive full credit. The final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of participation. Remember to be in class on time!
  • All assignments should be handed in before the due date. In case a students has a good reason an extensions can be given ONLY if the student notifies the teacher before the due date  (not after).
  • Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
  • Students are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.
  • Students should actively participate in group discussions and group assignments and should take their (equal) share in the workload.

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

DIS Contacts

Susana Dietrich, Science & Health Program Director, sd@dis.dk 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due