Course

Unit 1

Basics of animal communications including the different kinds of signals.

Unit 2

Principles of Cell Signaling Systems: Classification of signaling mechanism, Techniques used to understand cell signaling in the laboratory, Growth Factor/ Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs), Receptor serine threonine kinase, Cytokine Receptors, Other enzyme-linked receptors.

Unit 3

G Protein Signaling: Significance of toxins like cholera and pertussis in understanding GPCR-mediated cell signaling, Nobel lectures in G protein and RTK signaling, Signaling involved in taste, vision and smell, Cross-talk between GPCR and RTK signaling pathways.

Unit 4

Signal Transduction Through Ion Channels, Signals with Long-Term Consequences (Cell cycle and its control, Apoptosis and Cytoskeletal remodeling).

Unit 5

Signaling in developmental pathways like Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog, Signaling in plants- Auxin, Ethylene and Phytochromes, Prokaryotic Signaling, Signaling involved in Circadian rythm in Humans, Drososphila and Cyanobacteria.

Unit 6

Recent Advances in Signaling Research and Diseases.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The course includes extensive study on different cell signaling pathways and the recent advancements in contributing to various disease conditions. The course involves discussion of recent scientific papers related to each of these signaling pathways.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing the course, students shall be able to

CO1: Understanding G protein signaling in depth which involves discussions on the noble lectures in the field.

CO2: Extensive study on Receptor tyrosine kinases and their signaling with respect to disease conditions like Cancer.

CO3: Study of other signaling pathways involved during various developmental stages with detailed discussions of scientific articles pertaining to each of the signaling pathways.

CO4: Involves understanding various signalling mechanisms in plants.

CO5: Trained to design experiments and interpret data based on the discussions on each signaling pathway which would help them develop scientific critical thinking skills.

1. The Biochemistry of Cell Signalling, Ernst J.M. Helmreich (2005) Indian edition, Oxford University Press.
2. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Alberts B. et al., (2008) 5thedition. Garland Science.
3. The Cell: A Molecular Approach, 4th Edition, Geoffrey M. Cooper and Robert E. Hausman
4. Journal papers: reviews and research articles