Overview
Mechanics of course
General outlines of activities
Detailed schedule of events
     Schedule For Jan 15 - Feb 19
     Schedule for final events
Class presentations/handouts
Lab presentations/handouts
Links

Overview
This course focuses on four bacteria capable of differentiation:

• Bacillus subtilis, capable of differentiation into endospores
• Caulobacter crescentus, capable of differentiation into swarming cells as part of its life cycle
• Myxococcus xanthus, capable of fruiting body formation and differentiation into spores, requiring extensive intercellular communication
• Anabaena PCC 7120, a multicellular bacterium capable of patterned differentiation of cells into N2-fixing heterocysts

We will examine the route by which these bacteria translate environmental cues into signals that operate within the cell to intiate and coordinate the genetic program of development. Pathogenic bacteria also respond to their environment, and we will correlate the strategies they use with those used by the four model bacteria.