PCB-30306 Cell Biology and Advanced Imaging Technologies

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

CBI-10306 Cell Biology or equivalent

Continuation courses:

Thesis PCB, BIC, PPH, MIB, MOB-30806

Contents:

This practical course combines advanced light microscopy and reporter gene techniques in the study of dynamic processes in living cells. The principles and application of different microscopy techniques will be studied including: Widefield and confocal fluorescence microscopy, (green) fluorescent protein reporter activity (GFP), differential interference contrast microscopy, polarization microscopy, luciferase activity (LUC), fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). These techniques will be applied during the course to study the dynamics of intercellular organization, to study promoter activity during hormone treatment and circadian rhythm in plants, and to study transcription factor activity and molecular interactions of membrane proteins.
Note:
The enrolment for this course is limited to 24 students. Students are accepted to the course in the order of registration. Students for whom this course is compulsory will have priority, but nevertheless they are advised to register as early as possible.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- correctly operate advanced light microscopes and quantitatively analyze and interpret the generated data;
- explain the principles of the above mentioned microscopy techniques and reporter methods and their advantages and disadvantages in applications;
- understand how digital images can be processed to extract relevant information;
- demonstrate detailed understanding of the presented cell biological mechanisms;
- evaluate the use of light microscopy techniques in the literature;
- use the taught information in practical applications.

Activities:

Lectures on light theory, optical microscopy, reporter genes, fluorescence, etc. Literature study of major scientific findings using these techniques. Practicals using imaging techniques and digital image processing to extract quantitative data from live cells and in vitro model systems. Report writing and presentations.

Examination:

Based on written exam, report, presentation, and participation.

Literature:

A syllabus.