FRS 001J — Sec. 001 — (1 unit) — CRN 35570 — W 4:10-5:30 pm — 3 Wellman
Biology of Cell Death

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

Description: This is a 1 quarter (8 1.5 hour sessions) seminar course designed to provide a basic background in the biology of the cellular death processes, with emphasis on understanding the importance of cell death in normal and patho-biology. The course is designed to introduce the topic of cell death providing relevant knowledge of the mechanisms. The goals of the seminar are to provide students who intend to pursue studies in biomedical research or health sciences with an understanding of one of the major fields of research investigation, cell death. The seminar series will help students to develop the skill required to research and review topics in biomedical science and help them to 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 or 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 be expected to write short summary reports on each presentation.
Presentation - 1/3—Students will select a topic that must include cell death as a primary focus, research the topic, and provide a presentation reviewing the 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 question covering all areas of cell death covered in class.

About the Instructor: Dr. Hall is a faculty member in the School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. His research interests include lipid and stem cell mediated gene therapy application to traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, with emphasis on cell death control/regulation, neuroprotection, and axonal regeneration.