Structural Biology of the Cell

The course will approach cell biology both from the perspective of the animal (Prof. Biffo) and the vegetal cell (Prof. Ezquer). Therefore two different modules will be proposed:
During the lectures of the animal's part, the following arguments will be dealt with: principles regulating actin filament (AFs) and microtubule (MTs) dynamics; the specific roles of AFs and MTs in plant cells with respect to animal cells; MT dynamics as the major determinant of cell wall structure and plant cell shape; protein complexes involved in MT nucleation (model of dispersed MTOcs) and MT dynamics in isodiametrically and tip growing cells; cell Biology in the laboratory; imaging technology and the cytoskeleton; structure and relevance of the cytoskeleton in disease and diagnostics; unconventional signaling through cellular shape; disease and target-oriented cell biology and the functional analysis of gene function by cell biology (data discussion).
In the vegetal cell part, specific structural aspects are introduced concerning the role of the cell wall architecture as well as other cellular components influencing mechanical and biophysical properties in plant tissues. Special emphasis will be placed on technical advances in plant structural biology research: from molecular, cell biology techniques, to advanced microscopy and cell wall analytical techniques. Invited international researchers will provide specific lessons to provide insights into modern technical approaches, career perspectives or new challenges in plant science (climate change, evolutionary aspects of plant development). The student will acquire knowledge regarding advanced techniques used to study cell growth and organ morphogenesis in plant cells.