Stem Cell Fate and Cortical Genesis

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

• Lectures in mechanisms in cortical development and neural stem cell maintenance.
• Practical course: molecular mechanisms of FoxO transcription factors
• Expert guest speaker(s)
• Seminars on hypothesis generation, primer design and experimental strategy in line with practical

Subjects the student will master at the end of the course:

• Which are the molecular mechanisms underlying FoxO driven cortical development and neuronal stem cell maintenance?
• What are the molecular cascades underlying cortical development and neuronal stem cell maintenance in general
• How to design and execute experimental strategies in order to study gene function using state of the art technology?

Study materials

Syllabus

• Study material and information will be provided at the course and will consist of a selection of scientific papers published in international peer reviewed scientific journals.

Objectives

• distinguish and interpret processes underlying stem cell fate and cortical genesis.
• criticize and evaluate scientific literature.
• independently design and execute an experiment in a laboratory.
• evaluate experimental results (from a self designed experiment).
• design, analyse and criticize an experiment (using bio-informatic tools).
• interpret experimental results and present these in an oral presentation to a scientifically oriented public.
• formulate a relevant research question about a neurological disease, using current literature and technology.
• design an innovative and state-of-art research strategy.
• to present a self designed research strategy, both in a written report and in an oral presentation, to a scientifically oriented public.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Laptop seminar

The courses will be both of theoretical and practical in nature. Students will attend lectures, perform experiments, critically evaluate literature, and give presentations covering the practical work and literature discussed during the course. In addition, students willwork on an assignment covering all three courses.

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Assessment

the assessment of this course will comprise exam (1/2), practical work (1/6) and course overlapping assignment (1/3) which will be completed during the last (third) course.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

A course in molecular biology and/or neurobiology is advised.

The maximum number of students is 25.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. M.F.M. Hoekman