Biophysics of Condensates - Function and Disease
BIOL531
Course Directors: Ashok Deniz and Keren Lasker
Term: Spring (every other year)
Credits: 3.0
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this class, students will learn about the biophysics of biomolecular condensates and key related aspects of states of matter, phase transitions and polymer physics. The material covered represents a rapidly expanding research area with wide implications for biological processes and disease. Key examples of cellular condensates and their links to function and disease will be discussed, with a focus on mechanistic understanding.
In the first weeks of the class, we will discuss key aspects of the chemical and physical mechanistic basis of cellular condensation, including fundamental concepts about states of matter, phase transitions, phase separation, polymer physics and relevant chemical interactions. We will also discuss methods used to study these condensates. In the subsequent part of the class, we will discuss several important cellular condensates and engineering of condensates. We will emphasize mechanistic understanding and links to biological function and disease. Topics will include the nucleolus and stress granules, and condensation as it relates to transcription, chromatin, bacteria, viruses, cancer and neurodegenerative disease. For most weeks, we will alternate between a lecture and a student-led discussion of a related paper. The final exam will include developing a short research proposal, which can be related to the student's thesis project, and presenting the proposal in class.
