Signal Transduction

The course deals with various signal transduction pathways in the cell. Effects of ligand regulated ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors and receptor-tyrosine kinases and examples on other phylogenetically conserved signal pathways are described. Emphasis is put on signal transduction in the central and peripheral nervous system. Signal transduction in the immune system, the coupling between the immune system and the nervous system, and the effects of toxins, pharmacological substances and various diseases on signal transduction are presented. Specific systems dealing with memory and learning and clock functions are also studied. Methods for studies on cell signaling in invertebrates, vertebrates and in vitro model systems are described. The course is useful for advanced studies in biology or chemistry (neurochemistry and biochemistry) or for work in the pharmaceutical industry. The course consists of lectures, journal club exercises and an independent theoretical project that runs throughout the course. Attendance at journal club exercises and project work is obligatory. The course literature consists of the book Signal Transduction (Eds. BD Gomperts, IM Kramer, PER Tatham), Elsevier Academic Press, as well as lecture hand-outs (power points) and review articles provided by teachers and your own search in PubMed For additional information: <a href="mailto:anna-lena.strom@dbb.su.se"> Anna-lena Ström, course organizer</a>