Molecular Biology of the Cell
Course code: BIO IN G03 S2
ECTS: 3
Contacts: Benoît Le Tallec and Alan Tourancheau
Prerequisite: Introduction to Life Sciences (BIO-IN-G02-S1)
Course objectives and description
While ENS curricula are mainly organized department-wise, scientific research largely overcomes subject boundaries. Unsurprisingly, leading-edge research in life sciences incorporates vast areas of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer sciences, cognition or geosciences. In this context, this course aims at sensitizing non-biologist students to key concepts and methods in molecular cell biology. It is designed for future scientists attracted by life sciences interfaces, wishing to further interact or collaborate with biologists, or even considering a career in biology.
A large part of the course is dedicated to a detailed understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression and its regulation. Researchers will give most of the talks, and explain their scientific interests and current research. This will bring us through major cell functions (DNA replication; transcription into RNA; translation into proteins; photosynthesis), and also to a higher order of integrated processes (evolution; bacterial infection; neurotransmission; prion diseases). Gradually, methods ranging from the most classical ones to the most ground-breaking will be covered.
Schedule
The 2024 course will take place on Wednesdays from 17:15 p.m. to 19:15 p.m., from February 7th, in room 324 of the Biology department (46 rue d’Ulm). The final exam will take place on May 29th.
To register for the course : send an email to cours_bmc at bio.ens.psl.eu
Assessment
- Writing of course reports and/or presentation of short talks,
- Final exam: Research article analysis, presented by the student, followed by critical discussion with all students,
- Active participation.
Documents
Students are provided with the PDF slides of each speaker on the Intranet.
Suggested readings
- La logique du vivant, François Jacob
- Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, Benjamin A. Pierce
- Introduction à la génétique moderne, Philippe Monget et Reiner A. Veitia
- Molecular Cell Biology, 7th edition, Harvey Lodish
- La Nouvelle Microbiologie, Pascale Cossart
For a soft immersion, you may also enjoy the 2017 reader’s Moment or the 2018 movies Moment .
