2005-2006 Option Outlines

D Options: Term 2, weeks 6-10

Problems in Mammalian Reproduction

Organisers: Drs S. Mackay, NBS, ext. 5870, email S.Mackay@bio, S. McDonald and R.A. Smith, NBS

Content: This course is primarily of interest to students in Anatomy and highlights selected problems from the field of mammalian reproductive biology. Special attention is placed on research approaches to their solution, especially techniques in vitro . In addition, clinical implications will be discussed where appropriate (e.g. in vitro fertilisation, genetic screening).

Topics will include:

In vitro approaches to problems in gonadal differentiation
Immunological problems in reproductive biology
Germ cell / somatic cells relationships
In vitro fertilisation and embryo transplantation
Development disorders: prenatal diagnosis
Contraception

Entry requirements: None, but a pass in L-2 Module 'Reproduction & the Embryo' would be helpful.

Restriction on numbers: 35

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Organiser: Prof RW Furness EEB, ext. 3560, email R.Furness@bio.gla.ac.uk

Content:

Fisheries

Fishing methods and world fisheries
Stock definition and assessment
Maximum sustainable yield
Multispecies modelling
Processes of recruitment
Interactions between fish stocks, fisheries and natural predators

Aquaculture

Energetics of aquaculture - poikilothermy v homeothermy
Polyculture and low input systems
Managed ecosystem polyculture
High input systems
Shellfish aquaculture
Environmental stress factors and physiological effects
Nutritional principles
Behaviour of farmed fish
Environmental impact

Parts of the course will be taught in collaboration with members of the Institute of Aquaculture, Stirling and staff of various fish farms. Students taking this option will be expected to participate in visits to fish farms at various sites in west Scotland.

Entry requirements: None

Restriction on numbers: None

Control of Transcription

Organiser: Prof RJ White, BMB, ext. 4628, email: rwhite@udcf.gla.ac.uk

Staff involved: Profs. Bob White, Drs Chris McInerny, Adam West, Katherine West

Content: The option will consider how transcription allows the abstract genetic information contained in DNA to become physical reality in living organisms. It will focus exclusively on eukaryotic organisms. Human diseases often result from defects in transcription and many of these will be highlighted. Most sessions will begin with a lecture and then, after a coffee break, will be followed by small group discussions in which students will consider relevant papers.

Introduction. RNA polymerases. How proteins interact with DNA (RJW)
How genes are transcribed by RNA polymerase II. (RJW)
Activation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. (RJW)
Transcription by RNA polymerase I and III. (RJW)
Chromatin (AW & KW)
“
Controlling the production and localisation of transcription factors (RJW)
Controlling transcription factor activity (RJW)
Cell cycle regulation of transcription (CJM & RJW)

Entry requirements: Participants should have the level of knowledge of those who have taken third year Biochemistry, Medical Biochemistry or Molecular & Cellular Biology/Genetics/Virology.

Restriction on numbers: 35

Plant Biotechnology

Organiser: Dr PJ Dominy, BMB, ext. 4390, email P.Dominy@bio.gla.ac.uk

Assisted by: Drs A Amtmann, CT Brett and JJ Milner and S Rosser

Content: The course is designed to give students an appreciation of the advances being achieved from the application of plant biotechnology to harvests, and the synthesis of novel compounds. Examples used include the engineering of plants to produce higher yields or novel products. The course is open to all students, but will be of particular interest to those expecting to graduate in Plant Science, Genetics, Molecular & Cellular Biology, or Biochemistry.

The course is taught primarily in lecture / discussion sessions and tutorials.

The main topics covered will include:-

Engineering salt resistant crops. Salinity is a major factor limiting global crop production. Recently, important advances have been made in engineering salt-sensitive crops to survive in high salinity. These advances will be reviewed.
Engineering frost resistance in frost-sensitive crops. Occasional frost events limit the distribution of our major crops. Recently, frost hardiness of some plants has been improved by manipulating the cold acclimation processes; these experiments will be reviewed.
The plant cell wall; structure, function, and the control and manipulation of wall polymer synthesis. The economically important and complex polymers synthesised in plant cell walls will be reviewed, in particular lignin. The prospect of manipulating the biosynthesis of these polymers will be assessed.
Engineering plants for the bioremediation of polluted soils. Soils are polluted with organic and inorganic compounds that are toxic to most life forms. However, some microbes and plant species are tolerant and capable of detoxifying these pollutants. A review will be presented of the progress in engineering plants to bioremediate some of these pollutants.
Engineering disease-resistant crops. Our understanding of the complex interaction of pathogens with their host plant has increased enormously over the last few years, and a number of novel defence mechanisms have been well characterised. Disease resistant crop plants are now being engineered and some of these programs will be reviewed.

Entry requirements: None, although a knowledge of basic molecular / genetic techniques and basic plant biochemistry would be an advantage.

Restriction on numbers: 25

Molecular Biology of Membrane Function

Organiser: Prof. JG Lindsay, BMB, Davidson Building, ext. 4720; email G.Lindsay@bio.gla.ac.uk

Assisted by: Drs Ian Salt, Nia Bryant, Peter Dominy and Les Fixter, Profs. Richard Cogdell, Bill Cushley, and Hugh Nimmo, BMB

Content: The course is designed primarily to cater for the interests of mammalian or plant biochemists, medical biochemists and molecular and cell biologists but is not restricted to those groups. All students who have an interest in protein-structure and function and in learning how a precise knowledge of 3-D structure has provided new insights in our understanding of protein structure-function relationships and protein-protein interactions would, hopefully, benefit from this course. There is a particular emphasis on the study of membrane proteins where three Nobel prizes for landmark contributions have been awarded in recent years.

The course is taught primarily in lecture/discussion sessions but there are opportunities to gain experience in molecular-graphics/modelling of protein structure and in the critical evaluation of current literature.

The main sessions are on the following topics:

General aspects of membrane proteins
Membrane lipids and their properties
The insulin receptor
Ion channels
Bacteriorhodopsin and the current status of the chemiosomotic hypothesis
Photosynthetic reaction centres and complexes
Student presentations/discussion
ATP synthase complex plus molecular graphics session
Structure and function of integrins
Membrane trafficking

Entry Requirements: None although a basic knowledge of Chemistry/Protein Chemistry would be advantageous as would previous attendance at Level-2 Proteins and Bioenergetics Modules.

Restriction on numbers: 20

Human Molecular Genetics

Organiser: Dr MES Bailey, Room 512 Anderson College, MG ext 5994, email M.Bailey@bio.gla.ac.uk

Staff involved: Dr D. Monckton, Dr P. Shelbourne, Dr D. Wilcox, Dr M. Bailey, Dr R. Sutcliffe. The teaching staff include members of the IBLS Division of Molecular Genetics, whose research interests include the genetics of disorders of muscle and brain, and members of the Dept. of Medical Genetics at Yorkhill, which is responsible for the delivery of a Medical Genetics service to the West of Scotland (population 3 million) and for teaching medical students.

Content: The option will be run in part as a set of problem-based learning tasks, with teaching staff on-hand to present basic knowledge required for understanding. They will also present examples of real studies, to illustrate successful strategies employed by human geneticists, and to illuminate those areas where difficulties have shed light on underlying mechanisms. In doing so, they will draw on expertise in Glasgow in the areas of human molecular and medical genetics. The course will also consider the ethical issues that arise from both genetic research and genetic testing of patients and families. The implications of the recent completion of the human genome project for post-genome biology and pharmacogenetics will also be debated.

The topics covered will include:

the role of Medical Genetics departments and diagnosis of genetic disorders
human pedigree analysis and modes of inheritance, 'risk' in genetics
locating disease genes - markers, genotypes and the essentials of genetic mapping - linkage analysis
multifactorial inheritance and complex disorders and traits, genetic 'predisposition'
identifying disease genes - the human genome project, physical mapping of chromosomes, DNA sequence databases, DNA sequence analysis, gene identification and prediction, methods for detecting genetic mutations
types of DNA mutation and their causes
genotype to phenotype - how does a particular mutation cause a particular disorder, why do symptoms often vary from patient to patient?
molecular methods for identifying humans and human relationships - genetic fingerprinting
case studies of human genetic disorders
ethical issues - when is genetic testing or screening appropriate? what are the implications of knowing the complete human DNA sequence?

The teaching material will contain some examples from real cases; in these instances, the individuals concerned have consented to the material being used for teaching purposes. Should a student recognise any of the individuals concerned he/she must keep this information private.

Entry requirements: Because of the level of background knowledge expected, this Option is primarily suitable for students from Genetics and Molecular & Cellular Biology Honours courses. Students from other Honours courses may be accepted, but should discuss this choice with the Option Organiser and their Honours Course Co-ordinator.

Restriction on numbers: 30

Physical Activity & Public Health

Organiser: Dr David Miller, NBS, Tel; 330 4763, email D.J.Miller@bio.gla.ac.uk

Teaching Staff: Dr Jason Gill, Ms Viki Penpraze, Dr Andrew Tannahill, Dr Adrienne Hughes, Dr David Ogilvie, Ms Fiona Hamilton, Ms Theresa Campbell.

Overall Aims of the option

To examine the relationship between physical activity and public health
To demonstrate the issues involved in the promotion of physical activity to all segments of the population
To explain evaluation of practice

Overall Learning objectives of the option

You should be able to:

demonstrate thorough understanding of the key concepts in public health, epidemiology, health education and health promotion
evaluate the epidemiological evidence demonstrating a relationship between physical activity and health
evaluate the biological mechanisms by which exercise influences cardiovascular disease risk
discuss possible causes, consequences and treatment strategies for the obesity epidemic
provide examples of the practice of promoting physical activity for clinical populations and demonstrate understanding of the particular issues of recruitment and adherence for these populations
critically discuss the evaluation of projects and the measurement of physical activity
display competence in exercise counselling

Entry Requirements: Normally 3H P-SS, exceptionally other Degree Group C 3H courses.

Restriction on numbers: 40

Molecular Biology of the Neurone

Organiser: Prof RW Davies, Molecular Genetics, ext. 5102, email wayne.davies@bio.gla.ac.uk

Assisted by: Dr B Morris, and several external speakers

Content: The overall aim of this option is to provide students with a molecular level appreciation of the central functions of neurons, which is fundamental to all modern neuroscience. As well as discussing what is known about how the key molecules of neurons work, we will also consider how the production and removal of these molecules occurs, and how they get to their sites of action. This will be set in the context of neuronal cell biology, how neurons are formed and maintained, and how they die. After this option, students should be able to relate their knowledge of systems neuroscience and/or pharmacology to the molecular working of neurons as the building blocks of the nervous system.
The course is made up of 30 option sessions, consisting of 19 lectures, 10 seminars, and 1 supervised presentation. Since many of the sessions will be based on chapters from a new text to be published in April 2004, the lectures and seminars, after reviewing basic facts, will concentrate on recent data and on unresolved issues. It is intended to make the course as informal and interactive as is feasible. The supervised student presentation will enable groups of students to research a topic in depth and to practice presentation skills.

The main topics covered will include:

Molecular basis of differentiation and axonal path finding
Molecular mechanism of synapse formation
Neurotrophic factors and mature neuron survival
Neuronal cytoskeletal molecules and their functions
Regulation of gene expression in neurons
Protein trafficking, secretion and endocytosis
Structure and function of voltage gated ion channels
Molecular biology of presynaptic structures and transmitter release
Formation, structure and function of Glutamate, GABA(A) and other ligand-gated ion channel receptors
Structure, function and maintenance of G protein linked receptors
Molecules of the postsynaptic density and how it works
How neurons use calcium for intracellular signalling
Signalling pathways in neurons from receptor tyrosine kinases
Signalling pathways in neurons involving serine threonine kinases
Neuronal plasticity and its role in learning and memory
Molecular mechanisms of ageing and molecular triggers of neuronal death in diseases of ageing.
Use of molecular methods in neuroscience research
Use of model organisms in neuroscience research

Entry requirements: None. The course is particularly appropriate for Neuroscience and Pharmacology degree students, but will be relevant to a number of other degrees. Students with a weak molecular background will be required to complete a preliminary reading assignment.

Restriction on numbers: None

Factors Affecting Physical Performance

Organiser: Dr RH Baxendale, NBS, ext 5344 email R.Baxendale@bio.gla.ac.uk

Teaching Staff: Dr RH Baxendale, Miss V Penpraze, Miss R Sutherland, Grant and McFarlane

Aims: To introduce students to the laboratory measurement of physical characteristics which determine sporting performance

At the end of the option the students will be able to:

Discuss the ethical and safety considerations relevant to the conduct to tests conducted on human volunteers.
Perform tests of skeletal muscle function in the upper and lower limbs
Perform tests of aerobic fitness
Make anthropometric measurements and calculate total body fat content, muscle mass etc..
Tabulate their own laboratory data and compare it with the published reference banks.
Discuss the various strengths and weaknesses of the measurement techniques used.
Relate the physical characteristics measured to the physical demands of a range of sports events

Entry requirements:. Only open to students within Degree Group C

Restriction on numbers: 16

Comparative Immunology

Organiser: Dr MF Tatner I&I, ext. 6246, email M.Tatner@bio.gla.ac.uk

Content: This course traces the evolution of the vertebrate immune system by an examination of the defence systems in invertebrates and lower vertebrates. Key immunological events, such as the appearance of the lymphocyte, immune memory and the development of the MHC will be traced through phylogeny. The immune systems of the major groups of animals will be considered in the context of their overall morphology, physiology and life styles and how evolutionary changes in these have impacted on the evolution of immune systems. The applied uses of comparative immunology will also be considered, in particular, vaccine development for use in aquaculture and antimicrobial compounds from invertebrates.

Topics will include: the morphological and functional characteristics of the defence systems in plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals; the evolutionary emergence of a distinct thymus, lymphocyte heterogeneity, immune memory and germinal centres, different Ig classes, the MHC and their immunological consequences; and the immune consequences of the emergence onto land, metamorphosis, ectothermy vs. endothermy, different methods of reproduction and the passive transfer of immunity.

Varied teaching methods will be employed: lectures, student research and presentation of key topics, and discussions. It is hoped to include visiting guest experts in some sessions.

Entry requirements: L2 module Infection and Immunity

Restriction on numbers: None

Molecular and Cellular Parasitology

Organisers: Prof Jeremy Mottram (ext 3745, e-mail j.mottram@bio.gla.ac.uk) and Prof Dave Barry (ext 4875, e-mail j.d.barry@bio.gla.ac.uk)

Many aspects of cellular and molecular biology are crucial to the interaction of parasites with their hosts, both vertebrate and insect. In this option, several of these aspects will be examined in detail, with an emphasis on those parasites that are the primary focus of research. The impact of genome projects will be one feature of the option, with students learning how to analyse genome data. There will be 15 sessions of about 2 hours, including 17 lectures and 13 sessions of student analysis of publications in areas of core relevance to the option.

The 15 sessions are:

Lectures 1&2 Introduction & Invasion of host cells by parasites

Lecture 3 Survival of parasitic protozoa in host cells

Data analysis I Molecular epidemiology

Lecture 4 Cell cycle and differentiation in trypanosomes

Paper presentation 1

Lecture 5 Cell signalling in Plasmodium

Paper presentation 2

Lecture 6 Cell biology of trypanosomatids

Lecture 7 Biosynthesis of GPI anchors

Lecture 8 Cell cycle in Plasmodium

Paper analysis I

Lecture 9 Genetic Manipulation

Post-genomics problem I

Lecture 10 Genomes I

Post-genomics problem II

Lecture 11 Genomes II

Paper presentation III

Lecture 12 Gene expression I

Data analysis II, Proteomics

Lecture 13 Gene expression II

Paper analysis II

Lecture 14 Antigenic variation I

Student discussions of major topics I

Lecture 15 Antigenic variation II

Student discussions of major topics II

Lecture 16 Molecular epidemiology

Paper analysis III

Lecture 17 Molecular entomology

Data analysis III, DNA recombination

Entry requirements: Any Honours Biological Sciences course

Restriction on numbers: minimum 6, maximum 24

Neuroendocrinology

Organiser: Dr DP Gilmore, NBS, ext. 5961, email D.Gilmore@bio.gla.ac.uk

Content: The course commences with a review of the manner by which the central neurotransmitters affect hormone synthesis and release by the hypothalamus and pituitary. Detailed coverage is provided of the central control of adrenal, thyroid and gonadal function, as well as the mechanisms regulating the secretion of growth hormone and prolactin. The role of hormones in bringing about sexual differentiation of the central nervous system, as well as the manner by which opioids affect gonadotrophin release, is also discussed. During the course considerable emphasis is placed on clinical disorders that affect normal endocrine function.

The major lecture topics are:

Hypothalamic control of anterior pituitary function: role of the neurotransmitters
The central control of gonadotrophin release including the involvement of the endogenous opioids
Causes and treatment of infertility in the male & female
The central control of prolactin and growth hormone release
The thyroid hormones: control of their secretion
The central control ofadrenal function
Hormones and sexual differentiation of the central nervous system
Hormones and the regulation of sexual behavior
The principles of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its use as a research tool
The effects of exercise and of the environment on hormone release

Entry requirements:

Restriction on numbers: 35

Application of Ecological Principles

Organiser: Prof DC Houston, EEB, ext. 4775, email D.Houston@bio.gla.ac.uk

This course takes various ecological principles and examines the way they can be practically applied.

Content:

Conservation Biology: how theoretical ideas from biogeography have influenced the scientific basis to nature design and conservation planning. How can we best prioritise conservation planning?
The conservation problems of critically small animal populations and the genetical basis to their conservation. Relevance of these ideas to nature reserve design.
The consequences of habitat loss and fragmentation, and practical issues in habitat conservation. Application of demographic studies in conservation issues.
The role of community involvement and ecotourism in conservation.
Problems of freshwater fish and amphibians conservation.
Principles and practices of aquaculture, and how these differ in approach from land-based agriculture.

One field trip is involved with the course, to see Goose conservation problems on the Solway.

Entry requirements: None, but some previous ecological experience helpful.

Restriction on numbers: None

Physiology of Motor Control

Organiser

Dr MH Gladden, NBS, ext. 4577, email M.Gladden@bio.gla.ac.uk

Staff involved: Drs Gladden & Riddell

Content: The aim of this option is to provide a deeper understanding of neurophysiological mechanisms involved in motor control particularly at the spinal level and in the periphery in relation to human motor disability.

The themes for each of the five weeks are (1) peripheral nerve and the mechanical properties of muscle; (2) properties of receptors which provide the CNS with information concerning movement; (3) kinaesthesia; (4) spinal cord mechanisms related to motor control; (5) spasticity, rigidity and hypotonia in man.

Entry requirements: L2 modules 3a (Physiological Systems 1) and 10a (Neuroscience)

Restriction on numbers: 30

Investigating Biological Function In Vivo

Organisers: Dr N MacFarlane, NBS, ext. 5965, email: N.MacFarlane@bio

Staff principally involved: Dr NG MacFarlane and Dr WS Wilson.

Current principal topics are:

Methods of drug delivery.
Induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia.
Surgically relevant anatomy.
Instrumentation for data collection.
Fundamental surgical techniques.
Data analysis and interpretation from in vivo studies.

The option is taught mainly by lectures, tutorial and practical sessions. These sessions are supplemented by coursework comprising an essay, a data analysis problem and a practical assessment. The option is sponsored by the British Pharmacological Society in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Lectures: Mon and Fri mornings 10-00am until 11-00am followed by tutorials from 11-30am until 12-30pm. The practical sessions will occupy all of Monday afternoon from 1:30pm until 5:00pm.

Entry requirements: The option builds upon parts of three L2 modules: the Physiological System I (3a), Protein Structure & Function (5a) and Drugs & Disease (7b). It also assumes knowledge of the Cardiovascular System and Central Nervous System modules in Level-3 Degree Group C courses (Anatomy-3H, Neuroscience-3H, Pharmacology-3H, Physiology-3H and Physiology & Sports Science-3H). Prospective students who have not taken these modules should contact Dr MacFarlane well before the start of the option for recommended reading.

Restriction on numbers: 25

Vaccine Development Strategies

Organiser: Dr G Douce, I&I, ext. 2842, email G.Douce@bio.gla.ac.uk

Teaching staff: Drs Gillian Douce, Roger Parton and Lisa Ranford-Cartwright (Infection & Immunity), Drs Elizabeth McCruden (Virology), Drs B Carman and A MacLean (Regional Virus Laboratory), Prof Mark Roberts (Veterinary Pathology) and Prof Rick Randall (University of St. Andrews).

Content: The aim of the option is to examine the development of vaccines against a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. For many diseases, vaccines are not yet available. For other diseases, safer and more effective vaccines are required. A resurgence of interest in vaccine development has also been prompted by the increasing problem of drug resistance in infectious agents. Current vaccine research is based on the identification of protective antigens and elucidation of the immune responses which occur in infections and after vaccination. Strategies include the development of new acellular, synthetic, nucleic acid, recombinant, live-attenuated and multivalent vaccines.

Lectures:

Immunity to infections: lessons for vaccine design
Vaccine formulation and delivery systems
Bacterial acellular vaccines
Bacterial conjugate vaccines
Prospects for genetically-manipulated bacterial vaccines
Development of novel mucosally-delivered vaccines
DNA vaccines
Parasite vaccines: why so few?
The merits of a vaccine-based approach to combating viral infections
Development of new influenza vaccines
Advances in hepatitis vaccines
The problems of developing a vaccine for HIV
Practical vaccinology; from laboratory to licensing

Student presentations: Students are expected to present a short talk on an infectious disease and its vaccine, and to take part in one of the interactive teaching sessions.

Entry requirements: Some knowledge of basic immunology and microbiology is neccessary.

Restriction on numbers: 35