Signal Transduction

About this programme

During the course you will learn about effects of ligand regulated ion channels, G-protein coupled receptors and receptor-tyrosine kinases and examples on other phylogenetically conserved signal pathways. 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, chemoreception, and vision are also included. Methods for studies on cell signaling in invertebrates, vertebrates and in vitro model systems are described. The course includes an extensive individual theoretical research project (running throughout the whole course) where you will get training in critically reading and evaluating data in research articles, identifying specific problems or future perspectives in a given field of signal transduction research, as well as suggesting and evaluating possible experimental approaches. The course also includes training in presenting a scientific topic in the form of a poster, writing a research grant proposal for solving a scientific question and oral power point presentation of a scientific topic and suggested experimental approach to gain further knowledge within the given research field. During the course different types of teaching activities will be used including lectures, two Journal Club (JC) exercises, and a theoretical research project, which in turn includes a poster ses