BIO/BCH/MI/PLS/PPA 601

Special Topics in Molecular and Cellular Genetics

Brian Rymond, Biology, 335 T.H. Morgan (THM) Biology Bldg., 257-5530 rymond@uky.eduSeth DeBolt, Dept. of Horticulture, N324 Ag. Sci. Center North, 257-8654, sdebo2@email.ukyBrett Spear, Microbiology and Immunology, 210 Combs Bldg., 257-5167, bspear@uky.edu

Description: For more than 2 decades, distinguished scientists have visited the UK campus each Spring semester to deliver lectures and participate in informal discussions with graduate students as part of the Special Topics in Molecular and Cellular Genetics Course. Emphasis is placed on the selection of established investigators of international stature who present exciting new research in the areas of molecular and cellular genetics. This one credit course may be repeated for a maximum of six credits.

Class meeting times: This seminar enrichment program for graduate and advanced undergraduate students meets at irregular times. The course will host 4 guest speakers in 2014. Each speaker will provide an introductory lecture to the enrolled students plus a scientific seminar open to the entire UK Life Science Community. The lectures are scheduled for Monday mornings and the seminars presented on Monday afternoons. The 601 students also have an informal lunch on the Monday of the visit and participate in a 30 minute question and answer period immediately following each seminar. In order for us to derive the greatest value from each visit, the 601 class will assemble the Friday before a scheduled visit for a pre-meeting of student-lead presentations and discussion of select publications from invited speaker’s research area and program. The publications relevant for each pre-meeting will be posted on the 601 website. The course coordinators will advise the student teams in preparing materials prior to these presentations.

Requirements and Grading: A student-run pre-meeting will be held approximately one week in advance of each scientist’s visit to familiarize the class with the system, techniques, and topics to be discussed by the invited speaker. Selected research papers will be assigned as required reading for all students before each pre-meeting and these will posted on the class webpage. Pre-meetings will typically entail three or four student presentations based on the assigned readings.

All enrolled students are expected to attend the scheduled pre-meetings, lectures, and seminars (including the post-seminar question and answer period). In addition, each student must attend at least two of the student/speaker lunchtime meetings. Attendance will be taken at each event. Students are expected to be prepare and participate (that is, ask questions) in each event. The times/dates of the pre-meetings, lectures, and seminars were selected to maximize student involvement. Information on the speakers visits will be posted on the class website during the semester, consequently, each student should check the class site at least once each week. Grades will be assigned based on the level of student participation. Unexcused absence from two scheduled events will decrease your final grade by one letter, three absences by two letter grades. More than three unexcused absences will result in a grade of E.

Stephen Howell, Professor, Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, http://www.gdcb.iastate.edu/faculty_and_research/bios/showell.shtml Topic: Stress tolerance in plantsPre-meeting, March 28, 2014 (Friday), 4:00-5:30 PM, ROOM TBAStudent Lecture, March 31, 2014 (Monday), 8:00-8:50 AM, ROOM TBAStudent Lunch, March 31, 2014 (Monday), 12:30-1:30 PM, ROOM TBASeminar, March 31, 2014 (Monday), 4:00 PM, ROOM TBA

Title: TBAHost: Seth DeBolt, sdebo2@email.uky

Craig Mello*, Distinguished Professor, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, http://www.hhmi.org/scientists/craig-c-mello Topic: RNAi and the regulation of gene expression in C. elegans.Pre-meeting, April 4, 2014 (Friday), 4:00-5:30 109 TH Morgan BuildingStudent Lecture, April 7, 2014 (Monday), 8:00-8:50 AM, 109 TH Morgan BuildingStudent Lunch, may not be possible due to the compressed schedule Seminar, April 7, 2014 (Monday), Time TBA, Pavilion A Auditorium, New Hospital

Title: TBAHost: Brian Rymond, rymond@uky.edu * Co-hosted with the UK Med. Center Dean’s seminar series

Regulation of gene expression during early embryogenesis in C. elegans. RNAi mechanism and contributions to development.HHMI ProfessorNational Academy of Sciences MemberNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2006

Barry Ganetzky, Professor, Department of Genetics and Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, http://genetics.wisc.edu/Ganetzky.htmTopic: Genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie synaptic growth, maintenance, and repair in the Drosophila melanogaster model.Pre-meeting, April 18, 2014 (Friday), 4:00-5:30 109 TH Morgan BuildingStudent Lecture, April 21, 2014 (Monday), 8:00-8:50 AM, 109 TH Morgan BuildingStudent Lunch, April 21, 2014 (Monday), 12:30-1:30 PM, 305 TH Morgan BuildingSeminar, April 21, 2014 (Monday), 4:00 PM, 116 TH Morgan Building

Title: TBAHost: Brian Rymond, rymond@uky.edu

For more than 30 years, Barry Ganetzky has scrutinized mutant fruit flies that shake, shimmy, and pass out if overheated, in his search for the genes that underlie this unusual appearance and behavior. This approach has served him well, leading him to discover numerous genes involved in development and neural function and earning him election to the National Academy of Sciences in 2006.

“I never met a mutant I didn't like,”

Thomas Vogt, Distinguished Scientist and Executive Director, Merck Topic: Genetically modified mouse models of disease.Pre-meeting, April 25, 2014 (Friday), 4:00-5:30 PM, 208 Combs Student Lecture, April 28, 2014 (Monday), 8:00-8:50 PM, 208 Combs Student Lunch, April 28, 2014 (Monday), 12:30-1:30 PM, 208 CombsSeminar, April 28, 2014 (Monday), 4:00 PM, MN263 (UK Med. Ctr)

Title: TBAHost: Brett Spear, bspear@uky.edu

Responsible for Early Target Discovery and Validation in Cardiovascular Disease;

Global Head of Genetically Engineered Models Capabilities; SScientific Chair Regenerative Medicine;

New Technologies; Gene Therapy; Human Genetics

Example of 2013 Reading for All Enrolled Students:1. Fadool, J.M. and Dowling, J.E. Zebrafish: A model system for the study of eye genetics. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 27,89-110, 2008. REVIEW

2. Li, N.Y. et al. Bipolar cell-photoreceptor connectivity in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 520, 3786-3802, 2012

3. Darland, T. et al. Sulpiride, but not SCH23390, modifies cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and elongation factor 1 alpha in zebrafish. Pharm., Biochem., and Behavior. 103,157-167, 2012

4. Darland T, Dowling JEBehavioral screening for cocaine sensitivity in mutagenized zebrafish. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 Sep 25;98(20):11691-6.

Student Presenter:

Two examples of what was done very well in this presentation:

1.

2.

The area where improvement will be most beneficial:

Class Feedback for Pre-meeting Presentations