In some cases, the malfunction of a signal molecule in our body causes diseases. Here the protein NLRP3 will be taken as an example. The course will first provide the basic background of molecular cell biology, such as the concepts of cell and its building blocks; then introduce NLRP3, its function in the normal condition and its relations with diseases, such as auto-inflammatory disorders, type 2 diabetes, gout, Alzheimer disease, etc.
The goal of this course is to bring science to the community and highlight the importance of basic biological research in medicine. Jie Xu, instructor, has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and has worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan Medical School since 2018. This Study Group is for those 50 and over and meets Fridays, 3:15–4:45 pm on September 27 – October 4.