Cell Biology Training Program

The objectives of the Cell Biology Training Program are met through several different mechanisms. Faculty/student interactions are promoted through biweekly journal clubs, a "Seminars in Cell Biology" series and the Van Liere Research Day. In addition to discussing state-of-the-art approaches in journal club, with faculty and seminar speakers, students have the opportunity to participate in hands on workshops in core facilities in the Health Sciences Center.

This training program is designed to build upon didactic instruction received by the students in the first year curriculum in Biomedical Sciences. Concepts taught in the Cellular Structure and Function, Molecular Biology and Cellular Methods courses form the base for the advanced concepts discussed in this training program. Participation in the Cell Biology Training Program may reap immediate benefits, e.g. providing insight for experimental design for ongoing research projects. In the long term the program will provide important training for the further development of a career in science, particularly for those with an interest in cell biology.

Journal Club:
We explore areas of interest and new technology through participation in a journal club where we spend a few weeks focused on subjects chosen by the students.

2009-2010 topics include:
- Studying GTPase activation using FRET imaging
- Imaging real-time cell migration and invasion in C. elegans
- Live cell imaging of actin dynamics in hippocampal neurons
- Small animal imaging techniques

Seminars:
Students invite and host seminar speakers doing exciting work in cell biology fields of interest. These experts bring new ideas and areas of imaging expertise to our program.

Spring 2010 Cell Biology Seminars:
David R. Sherwood, Ph.D.
Duke University
Genetic analysis of development in C. elegans: modeling cell invasive behavior

Donna J. Webb, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Imaging spine morphogenesis and synapse formation in hippocampal neurons

Workshops:
Our students have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops to gain experience in new imaging techniques.

Spring 2010 Workshops:
- Small Animal Imaging
- Visit the Animal Models & Imaging Facility to see our IVIS Lumina in action. Students will visualize orthotopic bioluminescent tumors and metastases in live mice.

3D Image Acquisition:
Students will learn how to use confocal imaging to acquire and build three-dimensional images of fluorescent tissue samples.