Offered in Spring 2007
First class - 2/7  1:30 pm  MEC-209

What will the course be about?

The barriers that have traditionally existed between disciplines are rapidly eroding. This is especially true in the field of endothelial cell biology. As a cell layer that traverses virtually every organ in the body, and one that is highly vulnerable to dysfunction and disease, the endothelium has far-reaching impact on human physiology and pathophysiology. This course provides an overview of the endothelium as a model system for understanding biological complexity in health and disease. Emphasis will be placed on: 1) mechanisms of endothelial cell heterogeneity, including genetic and microenvironmental determinants, 2) the role of endothelial cell function in physiology, including cell trafficking, hemostasis, barrier function, and vasomotor tone, and 3) the role of endothelial cell dysfunction in disease, including tumors, sickle cell disease, pulmonary hypertension, and xenotransplanation. Additional topics that will be discussed include novel proteomic and genomic strategies for mapping endothelial cell phenotypes, evolutionary (Darwinian) principles, and complexity theory.
Directors: W.C. Aird, G. Garcia-Cardena
Instructors: Members of Faculty & Associates

Can I take this course?

This course is aimed towards graduate level students interested in applying a systems biology approach to a newly recognized organ system (the endothelium). The course is open (but not limited) to students in HST affiliated MD and PhD programs and Harvard University BBS. If you have any questions about eligibilty, please contact the course directors.
Prerequisites: Introductory Biology and/or Physiology, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology, or Permission of course directors

 

What are the details?

Time: Wednesdays from 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Place: Harvard Medical School (Boston) MEC-209
Credits: 2 CREDITS (H level)
Activities/Format: Lectures and extensive reading
Evaluation: Participation in class discussions, student presentations, term paper
Enrollment: Max. 20; Min. 5