Learning and Memory: Activity-Controlled Gene Expression in the Nervous System

Diagram of a neuron, with a synapse and a schwann cell shown in detail.

Synaptic activity in the nervous system triggers neuronal gene transcription. (Image courtesy of Ethan Hein on Flickr, adapted from Mariana Ruiz Villarreal on Wikipedia).

Instructor(s)

MIT Course Number

7.340

As Taught In

Fall 2009

Level

Undergraduate

Cite This Course

Course Description

Course Description

The mammalian brain easily outperforms any computer. It adapts and changes constantly. Most importantly, the brain enables us to continuously learn and remember. What are the molecular mechanisms that lead to learning and memory? What are the cellular roles that activity-regulated gene products play to implement changes in the brain?

How do nerve cells, their connections (synapses), and brain circuits change over time to store information? We will discuss the molecular mechanisms of neuronal plasticity at the synaptic, cellular and circuit levels, especially

  • synapse formation,
  • synaptic growth and stabilization,
  • synaptic transmission,
  • axonal and dendritic outgrowth, and
  • circuit formation

We will learn about the roles of some activity-regulated genes as well as the tools and techniques employed in modern neuroscience. Our goal will be to understand molecular mechanisms the brain employs to accomplish learning and memory.

This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. Many instructors of the Advanced Undergraduate Seminars are postdoctoral scientists with a strong interest in teaching.

Related Content

Sven Loebrich. 7.340 Learning and Memory: Activity-Controlled Gene Expression in the Nervous System. Fall 2009. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.


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