NEU 301/ MOL 310

Fall 2019
Cellular Neurobiology

M/W 1:30 – 2:50

Location: PNI A02
http://piazza.com/princeton/fall2019/neu301mol310_f2019

Prof. Mala Murthy (Princeton Neuroscience Institute)

Office: PNI 252
Email: mmurthy@princeton.edu
office hour: Monday 3 – 4pm

AI: Carlos Correa (PNI graduate student)

Office: PNI 232B
Email: cgcorrea@princeton.edu
Precept Times: Thursday 9am, 10am, and 11am
Office Hours: Thursday 12 – 1pm

Description:
This course focuses on understanding how neurons and the molecules they express contribute to brain function. Topics
covered include the structure and electrical properties of neurons, cell fate decisions, synapse formation and plasticity,
neuromodulation, and the function of simple neural circuits. We will also discuss molecular and genetic tools for
interrogating the nervous system. Examples are typically drawn from studies of sensory system development and
function in animals amenable to molecular and cellular level investigation. Students will have the opportunity to read
and discuss primary literature throughout the course.

Structure of the course:

Lectures, problem sets, student presentations, midterm exam, and final exam.

Grading:
Problem Sets: 28% (7 problem sets total; lowest grade will be dropped; late problem sets receive 10 point deductions;
problem sets cannot be turned in more than 24 hours late); Problem sets will be posted on Fridays and due the following
Friday by 5pm.
You may work with other students on the problem sets, but the answers you submit must represent your own
understanding of the solutions. Direct copying is not permitted.
Midterm: 20%
Final (comprehensive): 35%
Participation: 7% (grades will come from answers to “daily quizzes” presented at the end of each lecture (which will not
be returned or regraded. the lowest daily quiz grade will be dropped), as well as class and precept participation)
Student Presentation: 10% (must attend all presentations)

Required Textbook:
From Neuron to Brain, 5th Edition, Authors: Nicholls, Martin, Fuchs, Brown, Diamond, and Weisblat, Published 2012

Other Readings will be drawn from the primary literature and from the following textbook:
Principles of Neurobiology, Author: Liqun Luo, Published 2015

Missing Lecture:
Students that miss a lecture for any reason (for an activity, sickness, etc) will be expected to complete the readings and
write a short paragraph (4-6 sentences) summarizing the content of the readings. Students must let us know about
absences ahead of lecture by email (to either the AI or the Professor).
Contact:
We will respond to your emails as soon as possible, though you should allow a 24-hour delay. We don’t guarantee
responses to emails sent within 24 hours of an exam or 4 hours of a problem set deadline. Do consider posting
questions to Piazza if you think they might be of interest to others: this will likely result in a faster reply, count
towards your participation grade, and benefit others.

Schedule and Reading List:

Problem sets will be posted on Blackboard on Friday afternoon and are due the following Friday at 1:30pm.

Week 1: Introduction to Cellular Neurobiology

Reading for 9/11 (Wed):
1) From Principles of Neurobiology: Ch1 (1.5-1.7 and Box 1-1)
2) From Principles of Neurobiology: Ch7 (7.3-7.4, 7.11, 7.13, 7.14)

Week 2: Development and Differentiation of Neurons

Reading for 9/16 (Mon):
1) Primary source: Flames and Hobert Gene regulatory logic of dopamine neuron differentiation. Nature 2009
2) optional: Doitsidou et al. A combinatorial regulatory signature controls terminal differentiation of the dopaminergic
nervous system in C. elegans. Genes and Development 2013
Reading for 9/18 (Wed):
1) From Neuron to Brain: Ch15 (pgs 310-313, Axonal Transport)
2) Review article: Yogev and Shen. Establishing neuronal polarity with environmental and intrinsic mechanisms. Neuron
2017
PS1 (covers Weeks 1+2) – due 9/27 5pm

Week 3: Neuronal Trafficking and Polarity; Ion Channels and Membrane Potential
Reading for 9/23:
Primary source: Yi et al. TGF-b signaling specifies axons during brain development. Cell 2010.
Reading for 9/25:
From From Neuron to Brain : Ch4 and Ch6
PS2 (covers Week 3) – due 10/4 5pm

Week 4: Action Potentials and Electrical Signaling

Reading for 9/30:
From From Neuron to Brain: Ch7 (pgs 114-122; 124-127) and Ch8 (pgs 130-137)
Reading for 10/2:
Primary source: Long and Fee. Using temperature to analyse temporal dynamics in the songbird motor pathway. Nature
2008
PS3 (covers Week 4) – due 10/11 5pm

Week 5: Synaptic Signaling

Reading for 10/7:
From From Neuron to Brain: Ch11
Reading for 10/9:
Primary source: Olsen and Wilson. Lateral presynaptic inhibition mediates gain control in an olfactory circuit. Nature
2008
PS4 (covers Week 5) – due 10/18 5pm

Week 6: The Release of Neurotransmitter

Reading for 10/14:
From From Neuron to Brain: Ch 13
Reading for 10/16:
Primary source: Zhang, Li, and Tsien. The dynamic control of kiss-and-run and vesicular reuse probed with single
nanoparticles. Science 2009
PS4 (covers Week 6) – due 11/8 5pm

Week 7: MIDTERM WEEK

10/21 NO CLASS
10/23 in class MIDTERM exam (covers weeks 1-5)

==FALL RECESS==

Week 8: Synaptic Plasticity

Reading for 11/4:

From From Neuron to Brain: Ch16

Reading for 11/6:
1) Primary source: Whitlock et al. Learning induces long-term potentiation in the hippocampus. Science 2006

2) optional: Nicoll. A brief history of long-term potentiation. Neuron 2017
PS5 (covers Week 8) – due 11/15 5pm

Week 9: Sensory Processing (Audition and Olfaction)

Reading for 11/11:
1) From Principles of Neurobiology: Ch6 (pgs 238-249)
2) From From Neuron to Brain: Ch19 (pgs 392-397)
Reading for 11/13:
1) From Principles of Neurobiology: Ch6 (pgs 208-216; 225-229)
2) From From Neuron to Brain: Ch19 (pgs 397-401)
PS6 (covers Week 9) – due 11/22 5pm

Week 10: Cellular Mechanisms of Behavior

Reading for 11/18:
From From Neuron to Brain: Ch18 (pgs 356-365, Navigation)
Reading for 11/20:
1) Primary source: Hafting et al. Micostructure of a spatial map in the entorhinal cortex. Nature 2005
2) optional: Rowland et al. Ten Years of Grid Cells Annu Rev Neurosci 2016

Week 11: Recording and Manipulating Neural Activity

Reading for 11/25:
From Principles of Neurobiology: Ch13 (pgs 586-602)
PS7 (covers Weeks 10+11) – due 12/6 5pm

==THANKSGIVING RECESS==

Weeks 12 + 13: Student Presentations (students will receive a grade both for their role as discussant and presenter)
12/2, 12/4, 12/9, and 12/11