Each session will consist of 3 hours of lecture per week for 4 weeks and will be allotted 1 credit. Class meeting times will be arranged with the instructors. An organizational meeting for all courses will be held on Thursday, January 10 at 1:00 PM in the Pharmacology Library (6364 Scott Hall). Contact the listed instructors for course details or R. Yamazaki (ryamazak@med.wayne.edu) for general information.

David Kessel and Kamiar Moin

This course will cover the photophysics of fluorescence (spectra, lifetimes,quantum yields polarization, quenching) and provide information on use of fluorescence techniques in biochemical analysis, methods for assessing protein-protein and protein-substrate interactions. A common use of fluorescence in biology involves microscopic examination of cells and tissues labeled with fluorescent probes or proteins, along with use of fluorescent antibodies for identifying sub-cellular localization of enzymes and other proteins. Fluorescence can be used to detect alterations in cellular organelles, e.g., changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential, loss of plasma membrane permeability barriers, ER perturbations and lysosomal fragmentation. Use of fluorescent labels has greatly simplified detection of different species separated by gel electrophoresis: DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids. A current western blot protocol involves use of fluorescent antibodies. In order to properly design experiments involving fluorescence, it is necessary to appreciate some fundamental properties and limitations of various techniques. The course will consist of lectures, demonstrations and an opportunity to work with the fluorescence microscopy systems in the Pharmacology Department.