nsc 101 - mind & brain
This course serves as a multidisciplinary introduction to the major themes and research problems of neuroscience. The development of neuroscience as an empirical discipline will be traced by studying the writing of key biologists, psychologists and philosophers in the field. Class discussions will center on the early history of research in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; philosophical problems of consciousness; experimental approaches to consciousness and self-knowledge; and dysregulations of mind and brain. A laboratory will explore systems of consciousness from physiological and philosophical perspectives. Three class hours and one and a half laboratory hours per week.  Meets general academic requirement S

bio 248 - neurobiology
An exploration of the molecular, cellular, physiological, and developmental foundations of nervous system function.  Topics discussed will include the ionic and electrical properties of neurons; the biochemistry of synaptic signaling; neuronal and synaptic plasticity; basic neuronal circuits; the development and target specification of neurons; and neuroendocrine regulation.  Relevant primary literature will be introduced through class discussions and independent critical analyses.  A laboratory will introduce the research methods of neurophysiology, anatomy, and neuropharmacology and will culminate in a student-driven independent project.  Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week.  Prerequisite:  Principles of Biology III (BIO 152)

nsc 484 - advanced topics in neuroscience
This course serves as a graduate-style seminar for the senior neuroscience major and will stress reading and discussion of primary texts and timely issues within the field.  Topics discussed may include:  synaptic mechanisms in memory and learning; analysis of simple neuronal circuits; cortical architecture; neuroendocrinology; the neural basis of sleep and dreaming; pain mechanisms and integration; neurogenetics; and/or the relationship of neuronal physiology and behavior.  Prerequisites:  Principles of Biology III (BIO 152).  Neurobiology (NSC 248) is highly recommended.

bio 115 - drugs and drug abuse
When we talk about drugs, we tend to reinforce several artificial binaries:  “good” vs. “bad” drugs; illegal vs. legal drugs; addictive vs. nonaddictive drugs; recreational vs. therapeutic drugs, etc.  But are these binaries useful and representative?  Are there aspects of drug development, use, or abuse that are excluded from this either/or model?  Does our moral panic over drug use make it challenging to see past these binaries?  How might we conceptualize a different critical framework in which to discuss drugs and drug abuse?  In this course, we will engage in a cross-disciplinary discussion about drugs and drug abuse by appealing to biological, sociological, historical, political, and anthropological points of reference.   We will consider how power may define the representation of drugs in mass media and society and the resulting consequences for drug regulation.  Additionally, we will discuss the pharmacology of drugs, the putative mechanisms underlying drug addiction, and emerging ethical issues surrounding "new" drug discovery.  Meets general academic requirement S

dna 108 - other bodies
In current practice, Western medicine has been largely obsessed with cataloguing bodily deviations from the norm.  These deviations – labeled “ugly”, “monstrous”, “freakish” – embody deep-seated cultural fears about the limits of normalcy.  Representations of extraordinary bodies generally fall prey to two simultaneous arenas:  the surgical suite, in which the freakish body is hidden and “cured” to pass as normal, and the freak-show, in which the same body is garishly displayed to satisfy cultural tastes for the amazing and fantastical.  Our conversations in this seminar will be guided by the premise that definitions of the marginal body shape what counts as “normal,”  “ordinary” and “healthy.”  We will consider several bodily deviations, including nose shape, conjoinment, size, reproductive anatomies, and mobility differences, and their relationship to identity, power, and ideology.  Our raw data will include histories of medicine, circuses, and sideshows; memoirs; critical theory; and representations in film and fiction.  Meets general academic requirement FY

Sheard LB ‘07, McGinniss JE ‘06 and Teissére JA (2006) Dissecting neurosteroid modulation of the GABA_A receptor using interreceptor chimeragenesis.  Atlanta, GA:  Society for Neuroscience 2006 Annual Meeting.  Online.

Sancar F, Kucken A, Teissére JA, Ericksen S, and Czajkowski C (2005) Determinants of high affinity zolpidem binding in the g2 subunit of the GABA_A receptor.  Washington, DC:  Society for Neuroscience 2005 Annual Meeting.  Online.

Balasubramanian S, Teissére JA, Raju DV and Hall RA (2004) Hetero-oligomerization between GABA_A and GABA_B receptors regulates GABA_B receptor trafficking.  J Biol Chem 279:18840-18850.   pdf 

Teissére JA, Balasubramanian S and Hall RA (2002) Mutual regulation of the GABA_A receptor and the b-adrenergic receptor is mediated by heterooligomeric association. 12^th annual Neuropharmacology Conference on GABA_A receptors in cellular and network excitability, Orlando, FL.

Teissére JA, Balasubramanian S and Hall RA (2002) Mutual regulation of the GABA_A receptor and the b-adrenergic receptor is mediated by heterooligomeric association.  Program No. 434.11. 2002 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.

Kucken AM*, Teissére JA*, Kucken AM, Seffinga-Clark J, Wagner DA and Czajkowski C (2002) Structural requirements for imidazobenzodiazepine binding to GABA_A receptors.  Mol Pharmacol 63:289-296. pdf
(* Denotes equal first author contribution)

Teissére JA and Czajkowski C (2001) A beta-strand in the gamma₂ subunit lines the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA_A receptor: Structural rearrangements detected during channel gating.  J Neurosci 21:4977-4986. pdf

Kucken AM, Wagner DA, Ward PW, Teissére JA, Boileau AJ and Czajkowski C (2000) Identification of benzodiazepine binding site residues in the gamma₂ subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid_A receptor.  Mol Pharmacol 57:932-939.  pdf