2017-2018 / BIOL0806-1

Cell Biology and visualization methods

Duration

25h Th, 25h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Patrick Motte, Marc Thiry

Coordinator

Marc Thiry

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

1. Molecular and dynamic imagery (P. Motte)
Part 1. Imaging tools
· Fluorescence, epifluorescence
· Confocality, multiphoton, detectors, deconvolution
Part 2. Dynamic molecular localisation
· From genes to proteins
· AFPs ; approaches to loss of fluorescence (FRAP, iFRAP, FLIP) ; protein-protein interactions (FRET, BiFC) ; Fluorescence Correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging
2. Ultrastructural cytochemistry (M. Thiry)
· Introduction : transmission electron microscopy
· Different cytochemical methods (DNA : the Feulgen reaction, osmium-amine reaction; RNA : Brachet test, Bernhard's staining of EDTA; Acidic and basic proteins; Polysaccharides : PAS, TCH)
· Gold-complexes: lectin-gold, enzyme-gold, ..
· High resolution autoradiography
· Immunocytological methods and cryo-immunocytology
· Techniques of molecular biology adapted in ME : Hybridation, the tunnel method, la nick-translation, transcription in situ

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

To visualise (macro)molecules and macromolecular structures and their interactions over time and space is essential to the understanding of the physiology of biological systems: from the basic organisation of a cell to the complex development of organisms. Molecular imagery today presents many possibilities - reaching the level of the nanometre and the millisecond - and it is used in the study of the dynamics of certain processes of great interest in living and functioning cells in various physiological situations, and under stress. Considerable advances in the area of cellular biology are continually being helped by technological advances. These include confocality, multiphoton, high resolution and high sensitivity detectors, cryomicroscopy, electron microscope tomography, deconvolution, etc. The object of the course is to acquaint students with these imaging tools briefly and to continue by examining applications of imaging techniques in the study of cells, and in the area of developmental biology.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Cellular physiology and basic concepts of microscopy.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

To define.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Theorical courses
TEM and SEM demonstration
Confocal microscopic demonstration.

Recommended or required readings

Copies of slide shows (Power Point) used in class will be available. 3 students must sign up in order for the course to meet.

Assessment methods and criteria

The examination will consist in the presentation of a scientific article. The modalities of examination will be arranged in consultation with students.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Prof. Patrick MOTTE, phone: 043663810 Email: patrick.motte@ulg.ac.be
Prof. Marc THIRY, phone: 043665169 Email : mthiry@ulg.ac.be