FRS 001R - Sec. 001 - (1 unit) - CRN 83061 - R 5:10-6:30 PM - 144 Olson
Regulation of Cell Death in Human Disease: An Analysis of Our Current Understanding

Instructor: Leon Hall, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, School of Medicine

Description: As researchers continue to elucidate the diversity of normal and pathological situations in which cell death is a feature, the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism controlling and regulating cell death is abundantly clear. This seminar is designed to provide students with an early introduction to this important aspect of normal and pathobiology. The course will provide students with a basic understanding of the genetic mechanisms involved in cell death control and regulation, with particular emphasis on cell death in the central nervous system. The course will review the current application of cell death regulation in clinical medicine. The course is designed to provide students with interest in pursuing studies in biomedical research or health sciences with an understanding of one of the current hot-topics of biomedical research, cell death. The course will emphasize the importance of basic research to the advancement of clinical medicine. Also, it is hoped that the seminar will help students to develop the skills required to research and review topics in biomedical science and develop good presentation skills, while being introduced to a topic of great importance in biomedical science.

Format: The course will be taught over 8 1.5 hour time blocks. General lectures will be given on modes of cell death in normal and patho-biology, mechanisms of cell death induction and regulation/control, and in the role of cell death in injury and disease relevant to the central nervous system. Students will be provided with reading material, in the form of review papers/manuscripts, and will be expected to prepare for lectures by reading this material. Students will present short presentation to each other on an area of cell death research. Grading: Class participation- 1/3. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and critical analysis of student presentations. Students will write short summary reports on selected peer presentations. Oral presentations - 1/3. Students will select a topic related to cell death and provide a review of this topic (e.g. cell death in cancer, mechanisms of cell death in Alzheimer's disease). Written examination - 1/3. Short examination consisting of multiple choice and short answer questions covering areas discussed in class.

About the Instructor: Professor Hall is a member of the faculty in the School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. His research interests include gene therapy application to the central nervous system, with emphasis on cell death control/regulation and neuroprotection. Current research studies include non-viral gene delivery of cell death inhibitory genes following traumatic brain or spinal cord injury and stem cell mediated delivery of therapeutic genes.