Course Description

This course is a graduate level treatment of the molecular, cellular, and biochemical events that underlie cellular function. Emphasis is placed on the cell biology of neurons, development and maturation of the central nervous system, neurotransmitter synthesis and release, neurotransmitter receptors and second messenger systems related to neural function. The intent is to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the workings of nerve cells, including topics such as:

• Neuronal morphology and the establishment of polarity
• The structure and function of synaptic connections
• The cellular basis of development (including the unique aspects of the nervous system development)
• The second messenger cascades that regulate nerve cell function.

Lectures will be supplemented with student presentations. Students will be assigned dates and papers for class presentation by the teaching faculty.

Syllabus

• Download the Cellular Neurobiology: Molecular and Developmental course syllabus.