516-301 Practical Cell Biology

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Anatomy and cell biology 516-201, or botany 606-206, or biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 plus 521-212 or 521-213.

For BBiomedSc students, biochemistry and molecular biology 521-213 plus physiology 526-250.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Upon completion of this subject students should:

• comprehend the theoretical foundations of a range of techniques used in studying modern cell biology;

• understand the type of information about cell biology that can be obtained using particular techniques;

• appreciate the advantage of a thorough knowledge of the theory of a technique in order to fully understand the cell biological data acquired using that technique; and

• recognise the strengths and limitations of techniques used to study cell biology

In the practical component students should develop basic skills in performing techniques used to study cell biology.

A range of techniques used in modern cell biology will be considered, selected from, but not restricted to, the following: light and electron microscopy; fluorescence and confocal microscopy; histology; histochemistry; immunohistochemistry; autoradiography; in situ hybridization; cell and tissue culture; cell tracking in situ; molecular trafficking; DNA transfection into cells; mRNA and protein isolation and analysis; chromatography; electrophoresis; and PCR techniques.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination (50%), and three practical reports (each approximately 1500 words) during the semester (50%).