BIONB 4250

Molecular Neurophysiology

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

The goal is to develop a broad understanding of electrical signaling in organismal tissues, to appreciate the diverse information processing capabilities of this modality in the human brain and as far beyond as plant tissues. By focusing on the principle proteins involved, ion channels (including those gated by voltage, neurotransmitters, temperature, pH, and many other factors), we will explore the evolutionary origins and diversification of this signaling modality, consider its role in sensory, motor, and regulatory function, behavioral plasiticity (e.g., learning), disease, and neural development. Format involves written and oral presentations, reviewing cutting edge research in the field, and proposing experiments.  BioNB4250 website

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: 20 students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: BIONB 2220 or permission of instructor.

Distribution Category (PBS)

• To demonstrate mastery of the fundamental principles of electric current flow in excitable cells.
• To be conversant in the experimental methods by which ion channel proteins have been identified and their function related to protein structure.
• To be able to describe the important groups of ion channels encoded in the animal genome, encompassing the evolution of functional diversity.
• To describe the significance of ion channel modulation by neurotransmitters, hormones, and their receptors to specific functional control at higher levels (e.g., physiological systems and behavior). These might include, for example, taste or temperature perception, learning and memory, or autonomic function.
• To evaluate cutting-edge research in your own area of interest, and propose experiments to extend our understanding into the future.
• To enhance oral and written communication skills.

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