BIO 384 - Topics: Genetics of Psychiatric Disease (1)

Psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, affect an individual’s mood, thinking, and behavior. While psychiatric disease-related symptoms are well-characterized, the biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these diseases are still unclear. In this course, we will explore the cellular and molecular basis of neurological disease, with a focus on psychiatric disease. Students will learn about how genetics can influence risk for psychiatric disease and how these genetic factors interact with environmental risk factors. We will discuss current treatments for psychiatric disease and approaches being taken to try to improve these treatments. In the lab, students will design their own experiments using a human neuroblastoma cell line to characterize a genomic region implicated in psychiatric disease. Prerequisite: BIO 205
(Science)