Undergraduate Course: Ligand-gated ion channels: molecular machines in action (PHBM10033)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Pharmacology (Biomedical Sciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course will focus on our understanding of the structure-function relationship of ligand-gated ion channels and the pivotal roles these molecular machines play in mediating synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. The interpretation of structure-function studies of ligand-gated ion channel function will be discussed not only in the context of neuro-physiology/pharmacology but also using mathematical approaches where kinetic schemes will illustrate how we can quantify rates of ligand-receptor interactions. The course will be delivered through a coordinated programme of lectures, practicals and student-led presentations/problem solving sessions. Computer simulations will be used to examine Markovian behaviour of ion channels together with $ùwet&© laboratory practicals that illustrate the principles of receptor activation and neuronal excitability. Overall this course will emphasize how the use of electrophysiological recording techniques continues to further our understanding of synaptic transmission. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
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Friday |
| No Classes have been defined for this Course |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Exam Information |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
* Different electrophysiological recording techniques that can be used to study ion channel function
* Different structural models proposed to explain the relationship between molecular structure and function of ligand-gated ion channels
* How kinetic schemes can be used to understand the activation of both wild-type and mutated ligand-gated ion channels
* Different experimental techniques used to investigate how ligand-gated ion channels control neuronal excitability
* Diseases that result from mutations in ligand-gated ion channels and to what extent these can be treated using knowledge concerning the nature of the mutation(s)
Demonstrate ability to:
* Discuss and critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of different experimental approaches used to study ligand-gated ion channel function
* Interpret and evaluate information concerning activation of ligand-gated ion channels if presented with a kinetic scheme and parameters of channel function that have been measured experimentally
* Devise/interpret experimental approaches that assess the ligand-gated ion channel function and the consequences for synaptic transmission when the activity of ligand-gated ion channels is modified |
Assessment Information
| 100% degree examination |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Ligand-gated ion channel, structure-function, channelopathy, biophysics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof James Mcculloch
Tel: (0131 6)51 1906
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Caroline Morris
Tel: (0131 6)51 3255
Email: |
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