|
2005-2006 Option OutlinesB Options: Term 1, weeks 7-11Organiser: Dr. K.J. Murphy, EEB, ext. 6632, email k.murphy@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: The objectives of this Option are to understand the principles and problems of plant ecology; including survey, modelling and field experimental approaches. Case studies will be included of different types of vegetation and the environmental controls which regulate plant communities (e.g. semi-arid, arid and hyper-arid drylands). Lectures will cover: A Modelling and survey approaches to plant ecology: e.g. use of minimal linear models, applications of mulitivariate analysis to vegetation survey data B Questions amenable to ecological experimentation; field experiments checklist; mensurative v. manipulative approaches; experimental design and problems of pseudoreplication; case studies of good and bad design and analysis in field experiments. C Case studies of vegetation-environment interactoions: Example: definitions; characteristics of arid ecosystems; dryland soils and vegetation; survival strategies for drought stress; escapers, evaders and tolerators; vegetation types compared; impacts of desertification on dryland plant communities, comparing case studies from semi-arid (Argentina), arid (Arizona) and hyper-arid (Egypt) communities; Entry requirements: L3H Plant Science or equivalent in Life Sciences Restriction on numbers: 20 Organiser: Dr J Lindstrom, EEB, ext. 2520; email G.D.Ruxton@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: The overall aim of this course is to introduce students to modern methods for exploring the dynamics of populations. Data collection and experiments on populations are technically challenging, time consuming and expensive, so population biology traditionally has strong emphases on maximising the use of sparse data and on the development of theoretical frameworks. This course will reflect these themes, introducing students to the use of mathematical models to understand the behaviour of populations. Students will be assumed to have reasonable confidence with ecological concepts, but to have limited confidence with mathematics. The course will demonstrate the usefulness and limitations of models, and explore how theoretical work can be meshed with experimentation. We will focus on particular areas for population biology where modelling has made an important impact (such as the population dynamics of human childhood diseases) and develop the students' abilities to critically evaluate modelling studies. An extensive, computer-based practical program will re-enforce themes from the lectures and will give students experience of a commonly-used mathematical modelling package (MATLAB) as well as experience in constructing and analysing models of their own. By the end of the course the student should be able to:
Entry Requirements: L2 Ecology module: any students without this course credit may be required to undertake some preliminary reading Restriction on numbers: 35 Organiser: Prof W Cushley, BMB, ext. 5261, email: W.Cushley@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: This option covers basic and clinical immunology. The basic section includes:
The clinical section includes:
Entry requirements: 3H Biochemistry, Medical Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Zoology, Parasitology or Genetics Restriction on numbers: 35 Organiser: Dr. Tim Palmer, BMB, ext. 4626, e-mail: T.Palmer@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: The ability of a cell to produce a co-ordinated response to continual changes in extracellular cues (e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters and environmental stress) is critical for maintaining normal function. Consequently, defective regulation of key signalling proteins is an important feature of many diseases. Advances in cellular and molecular biology, coupled with information from genome sequencing projects, is now shedding new light on the molecular basis of cell signalling processes. This course will cover various molecular mechanisms responsible for translating extracellular signals into intracellular responses, how they are integrated and regulated, and how defective regulation leads to disease. Specific aspects of the course will describe:-
Entry requirements: None Restriction on numbers: None Organiser: Professor GI Jenkins, BMB, ext. 5906, email G.Jenkins@bio.gla.ac.uk Course aim: To show how molecular genetic approaches are being used, particularly in Arabidopsis, to identify important plant genes and to determine their functions in plant development and responses to environmental stimuli. Content: The major topics covered are:
Format: Lectures and associated tutorials to aid understanding of the topics. Entry requirements: L3 knowledge of molecular biology and genetics. No particular knowledge of plants required. The Option is usually taken by a mixture of MCB, Genetics and Plant Science students. Restriction on numbers: None Exercise in Medical Conditions Organiser: Dr P MacIntyre, Sports Medicine, tel 211 2897 email Paul.MacIntyre@clinmed.gla.ac.uk Content: to examine all aspects of exercise in relation to certain common medical conditions and exercise in special situations / environments, including respiratory limitations in health and disease, exercise training in COPD / asthma, exercise responses at high altitude and in the underwater environment, the effects of exercise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and other disorders associated with physical disability, and exercise in special groups: children, the elderly and pregnancy. By the end of this option you should have an understanding of the following subjects and be able to critically appraise the scientific literature of:
Entry Requirements: Restriction on numbers: 35 Organiser: Dr Mathis Riehle, Centre for Cell Engineering, I&I, ext. 330 2931, email M.Riehle@bio.gla.ac.uk Staff involved: Dr C Berry, Prof Jon Cooper, Dr M Dalby, Dr M Edward, Dr N Gadegaard, Dr G Marshall, Dr M Riehle, Dr M Sokolov, and Prof C Wilkinson Content: Cell Engineering has been defined as making things with and from cells, often combining these with non-living components, to produce devices useful to mankind in the treatment of disease and defect or in the further progress of science. With the above definition in mind the Cell Engineering covers a range of interdisciplinary topics including cell-surfacin interactions, rational biomaterials design, implant design, engineering of scaffolds for building tissue constructs, tissue engineering, mechanical forces and cells and tissues behavior/development, fabrication and use of biosensors, morphogenesis of organs and cellular therapy. The Cell Engineering option tries to integrate this disparate field by engaging with topics such as: the use of engineering principles to address particular interesting areas of cell biological research, biomaterials, biosensors, cell storage, tissue engineering of skin, aided peripheral nerve healing, bioreactors, and more. More information on the website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/centres/cellengineering Entry requirements: 3H Molecular & Cellular Biology or equivalent knowledge of cell biology. Restriction on numbers: 25 Diseases of the Nervous System Organiser: Dr WL Maxwell, NBS, ext. 4189, W.Maxwell@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: This course consists of ten afternoon, double lecture based sessions. The lectures illustrate and enlarge on the principle that immune defences in the brain are different to those in the rest of the body, so that unusual agents can multiply in the nervous system and common agents produce unusual patterns of disease. Week 1 provides an Introduction to the structure of the human Nervous System (NS) and an overview of reactions to disease. Week 2 reviews Viral Infections of the NS - pathways of entry for a selection of viruses and the CNS response. Week 3 reviews Genetic Diseases of the NS. Week 4 reviews HIV and Spongiform encephalopathies. Week 5 reviews Vascular diseases and their pathology. The experimental approach to investigation is stressed. Entry requirements: Most Junior Honours courses are suitable. Restriction on numbers: 50 Molecular Approaches to Bacterial Pathogenicity Organiser: Dr JG Coote, I&I, ext. 5845, email J.Coote@bio.gla.ac.uk Teaching Staff: Dr Rob Aitken, Prof. Harry Birkbeck, Drs Olwyn Byron, John Coote, Robert Davies (I&I), Prof. Curtis Gemmell (Bacteriology Department, Royal Infirmary). Content: The ability of a micro-organism to cause disease relies on the expression of one or more virulence factors. These are often designed to circumvent the host defence mechanisms and their expression depends on mechanisms for sensing environmental changes. Advances in recombinant DNA technology and in procedures for mutant isolation, together with the development of suitable cell culture and animal models, has led to a rapid expansion in our knowledge of pathogenic mechanisms at the molecular level, the spread of virulence attributes and the evolution of bacterial pathogens. This, in turn, is stimulating the development of new vaccines, improved methods for diagnosis and treatment of disease and greater insights into the spread of infection. The design of the option will allow the student to gain an in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenicity by reference to specific examples, to have a detailed knowledge of the strategies used in virulence studies, and to know the underlying mechanisms controlling virulence factor expression. Aims To note the multifactorial nature of virulence and the types of virulence factors, such as toxins and adhesions, elaborated by bacterial pathogens. To appreciate the value of mutants to virulence studies and to understand how new techniques for recognising virulence-associated genes have helped to shape our understanding of how bacterial pathogens colonise and persist in the mammalian host. To understand the organisation of genes encoding selected toxins, their transcriptional and translational control. To understand how selected toxins are exported from the bacterial cell, assembled and secreted to the external milieu. To comprehend how selected toxins perturb host cell physiology through interaction with receptors, translocation to the cytosol and modification of target molecules. To understand how antigenic variation and DNA rearrangements aid the survival of pathogens in the mammalian host and in the natural environment. To know examples of virulence factors encoded by mobile genetic elements; transposons, phage or plasmids, to understand the term pathogenicity island and how horizontal gene transfer has helped the evolution of pathogens. To understand how plasmid epidemiology can aid in locating sources of disease outbreaks and to appreciate the manner in which plasmids can be transmitted to other bacteria. To know the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and the implications that this phenomenon has for combating bacterial infections. To be aware of how virulence gene expression is directed by environmental signals and to understand the proposed mechanisms involved. To understand how the knowledge of whole genome sequences will contribute towards an understanding of pathogenicity and the development of new therapeutic agents. To appreciate how molecular techniques can be used in the diagnostic laboratory. Each student will write one essay, contribute to one Methodology Workshop and give a presentation, as one of a team, concerned with a particular aspect of virulence. Entry requirements: The course is suitable for any student interested in molecular aspects of biology and does not require in-depth knowledge of microbial pathogens. Restriction on numbers: 35 Organiser: Dr WM Stark, MG, ext. 5116, email: M.Stark@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: A good knowledge of the properties and enzymology of DNA is essential for Molecular Biologists and Geneticists. In this Option we will examine the diverse structures that DNA can adopt; how the DNA molecule is responsive to changes in its environment; the proteins that bind to DNA and affect its properties; and the enzymes that act to modify DNA structure. Throughout we will stress how knowledge of this molecular behaviour can contribute to our understanding of DNA's molecular biology and genetics, illustrating principles with selected examples from biologically important systems. We will also describe experimental approaches and techniques used to study DNA and its interactions with proteins, in vivo and in vitro. This will be an intellectually demanding course, but, we hope, a rewarding one for students who want to understand how DNA works. A sound background in protein biochemistry will be very helpful. Some of the topics to be included are:
Entry requirements: None Restriction on numbers: 35 Organiser: Dr R Thompson, DV, ext. 4027, email B.Clements@vir.gla.ac.uk Content: Viruses are of considerable interest as pathogens of humans, domestic animals and crop plants. This option focuses mainly on human viruses and their role in disease. Specific topics which will be explored in depth include:
Patterns of disease and the techniques of epidemiology, surveillance and diagnostics will also be covered. Other topics include the interaction of viruses and the immune system and prospects for control using vaccines and antiviral drugs. The mysterious agents responsible for the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies - the so-called prion diseases such as scrapie in sheep, BSE in cattle and variant CJD in humans- will be discussed. Entry requirements: This option is suitable for students from the Virology, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Medical Biochemistry honours courses. Talks will be given by a range of speakers. Restriction on numbers: 45 Immunology of Parasitic Infections Organiser: Prof. MW Kennedy, I&I, ext. 5819, email malcolm.kennedy@bio.gla.ac.uk Teachers: Prof. M.W. Kennedy, IBLS; Prof. J.R. Kusel, IBLS; Prof. R.S. Phillips, IBLS; Dr H.V. Smith, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow; Dr C.M.R. Turner, IBLS; Dr E. Devaney, Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology; Prof P Hagan, IBLS. Format: The course will be run as three 2-hour sessions per week, in the form of tutorials / seminars, with student presentation of original papers, as necessary. Content: The course deals exclusively with eukaryotic parasites ranging from the protozoans which cause malaria and sleeping sickness to the nematode worms which cause river blindness and elephantiasis. Aside from the important diseases they cause, these organisms are of increasing interest because of the unusual means by which they ensure their survival in the face of immune responses mounted by their hosts. This has been exploited in general immunology to reveal immune regulatory and effector mechanisms which might have otherwise not been observed. The major parasite groups will be discussed in turn, dealing with current knowledge of immunopathology, protective immunity, vaccination, immunomodulation, antigenic diversity and antigenic variation. Sessions will include discussion of the principal dilemma in parasite immunology - how eukaryotic parasites are able to evade the immune response. The subjects chosen are those for which most is known, so tend to focus on parasites which affect humans, although the principles apply widely. Entry requirements: Restriction on numbers: 30 CNS Transmitters & Drug Development Organiser: Prof. TW Stone, NBS, ext. 4481, email T.W.Stone@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: The course will consist of seminars and a suggested reading list which, together with students' own trawling of medical databases and literature, will allow consideration of a range of substances proposed as neurotransmitters and / or neuromodulators in the mammalian CNS. The areas covered will include excitatory and inhibitory amino acids, acetylcholine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, cannabis and peptides such as substance P, cholecystokinin, somatostatin and opioids, with special emphasis on pain and Alzheimer's disease. Each of these compounds will be considered in depth, along with their importance and implications for drug development, and relevant aspects of the basis of disease states. The course will assume prior knowledge of basic, classical CNS pharmacology, though reading can be recommended to help remedy any deficit in this regard. Entry requirements: background in basic mammalian physiology or pharmacology Restriction on numbers: about 6 places will be available to students outwith the Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience courses, up to a total class size of 40. Exercise in Extreme Environments Organiser: Dr S J Grant, NBS, ext: 6490, e-mail S.Grant@bio.gla.ac.uk Teaching Staff: Dr S Grant, Prof A Peacock, and Dr M Watt Content: The option will examine exercise responses in extreme environments. Information from other Physiology and Sports Science units will be used. Term 1 (Weeks 7-11). The aims of this course are:
By the end of this course students should be able to read with comprehension, and critically discuss current research papers in the following areas:
Entry requirements:. Normally 3H Physiology and Sports Science, exceptionally other Degree Group C 3H courses. Restriction on numbers: 25 Organiser: Dr WJP Barnes EEB, ext. 4430 email J.Barnes@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: Abstract: the module examines the form and function of animals in relation to the demands and constraints placed upon them by their environment, by their lifestyle and by the laws of physics. The introductory sessions describe the physical approach to analysing the design of animals and introduce the consequences of size and scaling. The course then goes on to a more detailed examination of the design of organ systems, including integuments, sense organs and circulatory systems. The third section of the module deals with structural adaptations in relation to habit and habitat, including vision underwater, and climbing and adhesion. Finally, consideration is given to the form and function of foam nests in a number of tropical frog species, and the possible ways in which the findings may have applications in the field of medicine. Format: a combination of lectures, seminars and discussions. Short projects investigating animal designs will be included. Entry requirements: None Restriction on numbers: None Organiser: Prof MR MacLean, NBS, ext. 4768, email M.MacLean@bio.gla.ac.uk Content: The course will review basic respiratory physiology and pharmacology. Further insight will be given into how the respiratory system adapts to changing requirements, such as exercise, changing partial environmental gas pressures or changing physiological and pathological states. The control systems invoked will be examined both physiological and pharmacological aspects. Lung structure will be examined from the gross to ultrastructural levels. The changes occurring in the lungs at birth will be discussed. Limits of lung performance will be examined under physiological extremes of exercise, altitude and diving respiration, and as the consequence of pathological states such as chronic obstructive disease and asthma. Current pharmacological strategies for anaesthesia, COPD, asthma, pulmonary vascular disease as well as insight into respiratory depressants and stimulants will be discussed. The course is taught by means of lecture and tutorial augmented by presentation and critique of original paper in selected fields. Topics will include:
Restriction on numbers: 50 students will be selected and the selection will be on merit alone |
