Students will learn about microscopy techniques that can be used to address key questions in homeostasis of the secretory pathway in cell biology. You will learn the key elements that must be taken into consideration when planning and executing experiments, how to handle the data to make figures, analyse and discuss results.
At the end of the course, the students will:
i) have a basic understanding of the application of different microscopy techniques to address questions of homeostasis and quality control in protein trafficking
ii) know how to handle a dataset from raw images to making a figure of publication quality
iii) have an understanding of basic image quantification
iv) be able to discuss microscopy data and write a results section
This is a course on applied microscopy in protein trafficking and cell biology. The course will include:
i) examples of the use of different microscopy techniques to address cutting edge cell biology questions, including seminars by guest lecturers who have authored top publications.
ii) how to use microscopy in protein trafficking research
iii) live demonstration of a popular trafficking technique, RUSH, on a spinning disc microscope
iv) how to quantify images, make figures and discuss results, including a guest lecture by an imaging expert from the Institut Curie in Paris
Access to laptop with free software FIJI/ImageJ (https://imagej.net/software/fiji/), and access to a raster graphics editor that will be needed for the second half of the course (option: a 30 day free trial can be used). My recommendation would be Affinity software (photo and designer) (https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/photo/?srsltid=AfmBOoplc6qGkxgsYeke-jN…), or Adobe Photoshop/illustrator. Free versions can have difficulty in compatibility between softwares, but will be fine for this course. As a last option, powerpoint.
The module will consist of 3 different teaching approaches:
i) Lectures presenting cutting edge research on homeostasis, quality control and the secretory pathway, and the incorporation of microscopy by the authors
ii) Live demonstration of a common trafficking assay, RUSH by spinning disc microscopy
iii) explanation and "workshops" on how to quantify microscopy images, make figures and discuss results.
During the course, students will be marked on their engagement, eg. questions to the lecturers, involvement during lectures etc. At the end of the course, students will submit a short written report consisting of the techniques studied during the module. Based on the RUSH experiment that will be observed in one of the session, the report will be composed of:
The marks will be weighted 25:75 (engagement:report)
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Research focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Teaching focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Professional focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biology | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Research focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Teaching focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Professional focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biology | Standard | 1 | 3 |