Biochem 511 - Senior Seminar with Professor Douglas Weibel

    

Fall 2009-2010



 
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Course Description:

Section 003 (Class Number: 70528 )
Instructor(s):
TA(s):
Credits: 1
Day: W   Time: 12:05 PM - 12:55 PM
Location: 1510 Microbial Sciences   Website: http://www.biochem.wisc.edu/courses/biochem511/section3/

Description:

In this seminar, we will discuss contemporary issues focused on the organization and dynamics of biological membranes. Lipid membranes are structures central to life. The presence of lipid membranes was beginning to take shape at the turn of the 20th century; however, it was not until the 1920s that Grendel and Gorter discovered that lipids form a bilayer. This observation was an important extension of an early experiment by Fricke, who measured the cell membrane in erythrocytes and found it to be 3-nm thick. Thirty years later, the theory of the bilayer model of lipids in cell membranes was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. In the time that has lapsed since then, our view of the role and dynamics of lipid membranes has taken many surprising twists and turns.

The goal of this class is not to give you a historical view of membranes—it will provide a glimpse into the remarkable structure and dynamics of one of the most central structures in biochemistry and life. We discuss current literature in membrane-related research using a format in which students are paired into teams and present a 30-minute seminar on a specific research paper. The structure of the presentation is designed to facilitate a class-wide discussion of the paper and concepts in this area of biochemistry.

This section of Biochem 511 is designed to complement the Biochemistry Colloquium, which is held on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 pm in the Ebling Symposium Center, Microbial Sciences Building. The speakers all work on cutting-edge research related to the structure and dynamics of membranes and are world leaders in their respective areas. I have chosen one paper by each lecturer that we will discuss approximately one week in advance of the speaker’s visit. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the Colloquia and to interact with the speakers.


Biochem_511-3_Fa09_Presentation_Schedule.pdf

Biochem_511Syllabus.pdf

Biochem_511Evaluation_Forms.pdf

Biochem_511Evaluation_Form_Single.pdf



These four PDFs are critical reviews in this area:

Dowhan_Annu_Rev_Biochem_2009.pdf

Engelman_Nature_2005.pdf

Lee_2004_Biochim_Biophys_Acta.pdf

Phillips_Nature_2009.pdf
    


Discussions/Labs/Other:

SEM - 001 (Class Number: 70526 )
Instructor(s):
TA(s):
Credits: 1
Day: W
Time: 02:25 PM - 03:15 PM
Location: Rm 175 BCHM ADDN
SEM - 002 (Class Number: 70527 )
Instructor(s):
TA(s):
Credits: 1
Day: T
Time: 8:50 AM - 9:40 AM
Location: Rm 175 BCHM ADDN

 

 

 

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