Introductory description

The aim of this module is to introduce students to one of the fundamental processes that underpin modern biomedical science: immunology. It builds on the materila delivered in BS127 Agents of infectious disease and provides the preliminary understadning for the final year module BS317 Advanced Immunlogy. Together with companion modules dealing with specific pathogens, the module considers many disease processes and their mitigation.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Lectures 1-5
Neuronal Development, Cell biology and Disease
The aim of this part of the module is to provide an understanding of basic principles of
organization of a nervous system and development of the nervous system. It will also give us an
opportunity to discuss some diseases.
Neuronal cell biology: specialities of neuronal cell biology – axonal transport, localised
translational control of mRNA, inter-cellular mRNA exchange by nanotubes, myelination.
Diseases caused by defects in these systems.
Axon guidance: the identification of the factors involved in wiring a nervous system ,
including axonal growth cone structure, attraction and repulsion, pioneer and follower
neurons.
Synaptic refinement and activity dependence: the Chemospecificity hypothesis, the role of
activity in synaptic refinement and its molecular basis.
Development of the CNS: the link between genes and function of neuronal cells with particular
focus to the development of nervous system

Lectures 6-10
Fundamentals of Neurophysiology
These lectures will explore fundamental principles of signal transmission in the nervous system,
including electrical signalling in the neurons and the role of various neurotransmitters and their
receptors in the information processing in the brain. The brief overview of the most important
neuro physiological experimental techniques will be given. Lecture topics include:
Basic electrophysiology: role for ion channels in the signalling in neurons other cells and
techniques which are used to study them: patch-clamp, current clamp, voltage clamp, fluorescent
imaging.Synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter receptors - basic classes of neurotransmitters
An appreciation of our knowledge at the cellular and molecular level of highly complex interactive processes
An understanding of how a reductionist approach can yield valuable insight into events affecting the whole organism and their receptors; release and turnover of neurotransmitters and their modes of action.
Integration in the CNS - how neural networks process information.

Lectures 11-15
Functional Properties of Neuronal Networks
The final part of the module aims to provide an understanding of the functional properties of
neuronal circuits and explore the role of neuronal networks in physiological processes including
respiration, sleep and memory. The lectures will cover the following topics:
Central Pattern Generators;
Neural Circuits;
Respiration;
Sleep;
Plasticity/modulation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Level 5 understanding of the structure and functioning of the Central Nervous system
• Level 5 understanding of how neural networks process information and the techniques used to study such processes.
• Level 5 understanding of the development and formation of the CNS at a molecular level
• Level 5 understanding of the role of the nervous system in other physiological functions in the organism

Indicative reading list

Bear et al Neuroscience – Exploring the Brain 2001
Delcomyn H Foundations of Neurobiology 1998

Students are directed to the current literature for an up-to-date appreciation of developments in this area

Subject specific skills

Understand the structure and functioning of the Central Nervous system.
Understand how neural networks process information and the techniques used to study such processes.
Understand the development and formation of the CNS at a molecular level.
Understand the role of the nervous system in other physiological functions in the organism.

Transferable skills

Self directed learning
Adult learning
Critical appraisal of source material