Cell Biology: Transport and Signaling

About

This is the first cell biology course in a three-part series. Building upon the concepts from biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology from our 7.00x Introductory Biology and 7.05x Biochemistry MOOCs, these cell biology courses transition to a comprehensive discussion of biology at an experimental level. How do we know what we know about cells at a molecular level and how can we use that knowledge to design experiments to test hypotheses in cell biology?

Professors Rebecca Lamason and Iain Cheeseman guide you through a learning experience where you will discover experiments that answered big questions and find out what is still on the horizon. You will embark on a lively journey through cellular transport and cellular signaling mechanisms and regulation and learn how to apply key concepts and themes of this dynamic experimental science to understand the fundamental workings of cells.

We developed the 7.06x Cell Biology series with an emphasis on:

• Developing your scientific thinking skills including articulating hypotheses, performing thought experiments, interpreting data, and designing experiments.
• Using data based on real scientific experiments and highlighting the scientific process in assessments.
• Asserting that biology is an active field that changes daily through examples of research and relevance to medicine, not static information in a textbook.
• Uniting themes and principles that inform how scientists conduct and interpret research.
• Exploring foundational experiments that defined modern cell biology.
• Implementing the science of learning in the course design.

What you will learn

1. How to apply biochemical and genetic approaches to address fundamental questions of transport and signaling in the cell.
2. How to evaluate the conclusions and models that scientists develop about cell biology from experimental approaches and results.
3. How to select specific empirical methods and techniques based on the different kinds of questions scientists ask.
4. How to design experiments to answer cell biology experiments with proper controls.
5. How to assess biological necessity and sufficiency from experimental results.
6. How to compare and contrast protein transport and signaling pathways processes.
7. How to identify recurring themes in protein transport and signal transduction.

Skills you learn

• Biology
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Data Analysis
• Scientific Methods
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Syllabus

• Membranes, Lipids, and Proteins
• Intracellular Transport and Protein Secretion
• Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Transport
• Principles of Signal Transduction
• Signaling Pathways and Regulatory Paradigms

Auto Summary

Discover the world of cellular transport and signaling in this expert-level course, led by Professors Rebecca Lamason and Iain Cheeseman. This course, part of a three-part series, builds on foundational knowledge from biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology to explore cell biology at an experimental level. Engage with real scientific data, develop your scientific thinking skills, and learn the dynamic processes that govern cellular functions. Offered by edX, this immersive learning experience is perfect for professionals eager to delve deeper into cell biology.