| Description |
A critical discussion of biological structures pertinent to understanding neurodevelopmental diseases. Crystal structures of ion channels, synaptic scaffolds, receptors, chromatin remodeling complexes, and kinases will be analyzed in the context of recent genetic findings on the causes of autism, fragile-X syndrome, and Rett's syndrome. A systems biology approach will be taken to bridge the gap between behavioral phenotypes, as studied with mouse models, and gene expression profiles. The principles of x-ray crystallography will be taught as needed to follow journal articles under discussion. |