Module: 2
Sponsoring Program: BMS/DSCB
Administrator: Priscilla Pereira

STUDY LIST INFORMATION
Course Number: BMS 270/DSCB 270
Course Name: Special Topics
Units: 3
Grading Option: S/U
Course Director: Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu

MORE COURSE INFORMATION
Other faculty: Elphege Nora, Dan Lim
Dates: April 19 - May 7
Schedule: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10-11:30
Maximum Class Size: 12

Course Description: This course will cover topics related to questions concerning how genes are regulated at the levels of three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure and nuclear architecture.  It will include recent approaches and techniques for studying chromatin structure, nuclear proteins such as genome organizers that regulate chromatin structure, and the roles of chromatin structure in multiple biological processes (e.g., development and disease).  This field of research is fast-growing, and it is important to understand how transcription of a large number of genes is orchestrated in eukaryotic nuclei for proper development and in response to external stimuli.  The course will start with lectures covering basic methods used for analyzing 3D chromatin structures, which will help students to understand relevant literature.  These lectures will be followed by class sessions, focusing on one representative article in the field per class session, followed by discussion.  Each article to be discussed will be posted in advance of each class.  All students will be requested to read the article before the class meets.  Two students will be assigned per article, to present the major questions addressed and to lead the discussion with other students in the class, going over each Figure and summarizing the key findings.  The presenting faculty will be available for additional comments and interpretations.  Additional class sessions will also be scheduled, as part of the scheduled class sessions, for lectures and discussion by faculty members from UCSF and from other institutions. Toward the end of the course, two students per class session will be asked to select one article of their interest and present 5 slides on this article (including its major question, approach and key message).  In presenting this article, the students will be asked to lead the discussion with regards to potential future directions of research on chromatin and gene regulation.