Cell Biology: Cellular organization, division and processes

This course focuses on cell organization, and the molecules and intracellular processes crucial for life and inheritance. A particular emphasis is on DNA transactions such as chromosome organization, replication, chromosome segregation, etc. Some examples of key discoveries in the field of cell cycle regulation, chromatin organization, and the dynamic processes and molecular machines involved in cell division will be discussed in detail. Other topics include Nuclear organization, Mitosis and Meiosis and cell death. In addition, cellular diversity will be discussed including selected specialized eukaryotic cells and their functions, cancer cells-how controls go wrong, and stem cells. This course includes 2 modules of 10 lectures each. It is intended for graduate students mainly M.Sc. students (or 1st year Ph.D. students). Final year B.Sc. students may also find it useful. INTENDED AUDIENCE :Biology, Chemistry.PREREQUISITES : Basic Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry. Especially basic structure and function of biomolecules including enzymes.INDUSTRIES SUPPORT :None

Week 1:Lecture 1- Cell components and organization; macromolecules, membranes, organelles, and processes.
Lecture 2- DNA: The genetic material; Cell Cycle.
Lecture 3- Regulation of the Cell Cycle.Week 2:Lecture 4- S-phase: DNA Replication and its regulation. Repair and recombination.
Lecture 5- Checkpoints: DNA Damage and DNA Replication checkpoints.Week 3:Lecture 6- Chromosome reorganization during mitosis; The centrosome duplication cycle.
Lecture 7- The microtubule cytoskeleton; Spindle organization, assembly and dynamics.
Lecture 8- Molecular motors; Role of motor proteins in mitosis.Week 4:Lecture 9- Mitotic checkpoints; Chromosome segregation and cell division.
Lecture 10- Meiosis
Week 5:Lecture 11- Cell death, aging and senescence.
Lecture 12- Chromatin organization
Lecture 13- SMC proteins and chromosome organizationWeek 6:Lecture 14- The cohesin complex and its functions.
Lecture 15- Nuclear organization Week 7:Lecture 16- Cell diversity and properties of specialized cells.
Lecture 17- The Cancer Cell
Lecture 18- Stem cellsWeek 8:Lecture 19- Nerve cells
Lecture 20- The Plant Cell