Biology and engineering of membrane signaling

Summary

This course introduces the basic biology of cell membranes and membrane proteins, and explains how they control communication between cells and their environment. Students will also learn how membrane proteins are studied and engineered in modern biology and bioengineering.

Content

Keywords

Cell membrane, membrane proteins, ion channels, receptors, transporters, electrophysiology, imaging, structural biology, optogenetics, bioengineering

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Describe the basic structure and functions of biological membranes
• Distinguish the main classes of membrane proteins and explain their roles
• Explain how ion movement generates membrane voltage
• Compare common methods used to study membrane proteins
• Describe how membrane proteins can be engineered to control cell signaling

Transversal skills

• Summarize an article or a technical report.
• Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
• Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.

Expected student activities

Students are expected to attend lectures and exercises, complete short readings and problem sets, and participate in group discussions and course projects.

Assessment methods

Exercise + Term paper + Final exam

Resources

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/BIO-314