Signal transduction pathways in neuronal systems

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

Lectures in advanced signal transduction 

-Protein domains and post translational modifications

-GPCR signaling and neuronal functioning

-Boosting dopamine production in the Subtantia Nigra

-Insulin signaling in learning and memory

-Cell death in the developing and adult central nervous system

• Practical course in FoxO transcription factors (2 weeks)
• Bioinformatics tutorial

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

• What are the basic signal transduction pathways involved in neuronal maintenance and development? 
• How to incorporate current literature and technology about signal transduction into a relevant research question? 
• How to critically design a research strategy to investigate a signal transduction pathway in a neuronal system?

Study materials

Syllabus

• Study material and information will be provided at the course and will consist of a selection of excellent scientific papers published in international high-impact journals.

Objectives

• distinguish and interpret signal transduction routes in the brain.
• criticize and evaluate scientific literature on signal transduction.
• 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

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

Learning activities

Attendance

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

Assignments

Practical Training

Oral presentation

• You will present your experimental results in an oral presentation.

Assignment

• You will work on this assignment during the three courses. You should design a research strategy and write and orally present a proposal. You will work in pairs.

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

During the course, a Canvas page will be available.

This course cannot be taken separately, but must be followed together with Neurodevelopment/Specification of Neuronal Systems and Stem Cell Fate and Cortical Genesis.

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. L.P. van der Heide

Staff

• dr. A.A. Dijkstra
• Daniek Hamberg MSc
• dr. M.F.M. Hoekman
• prof. dr. M.P. Smidt
• Reinofke van de Vis MSc