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TokyoTechX: Bio150x Autophagy: Research Behind the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Autophagy: Research Behind the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

In this self-paced short course, you’ll learn about Autophagy, the fascinating degradation process that occurs within all living cells, and the exciting story of the 2016 Nobel Prize winner's Yoshinori Ohsumi’s research career, during which he uncovered the autophagy mechanism in yeast.

By taking this course, you will be able to: 

  • define the fundamentals of autophagy
  • explain the significant roles that autophagy plays in human bodies, plants, and animals  
  • draw upon the inspiring story of Yoshinori Ohsumi and learn the importance of basic research driven by pure curiosity that leads to breakthroughs in science

Target audience: 

  • The course is aimed at the general public.

Expected time / effort:

  • 1-1.5 hours per week

Topics to be covered: 

  • Week 1: Basic Mechanisms and Roles of Autophagy
  • Week 2: Dr. Ohsumi's Nobel Prize Winning Work
  • Week 3: The Role of Autophagy in Our Bodies, Links to Human Diseases, and the Future of Autophagy Research

Course structure:

These lectures and reading sections (notes) together provide an insight into an exciting and continually evolving field at the cutting-edge of fundamental biology research. The course also provides an example of a world-leading scientist’s unconventional and diligent approach to research, offering inspiration to young and aspiring researchers and laypeople alike.

The course is self-paced and you can study it when you have time. The course end date is July 31, 2020 9:00 UTC

Grade assessment: 

  • Please complete quiz questions in each section which are based upon the video lectures and reading sections (notes). To pass this course a grade of 60% or higher is required. 

Verified certificate:

  • In order for you to be eligible for an edX verified certificate, you must receive 60% or higher score on the course quiz questions.
  • For new learners that enroll after December 17, 2018, after 3 weeks of free access to all the course materials, only learners on the verified track will have access to graded assessments, receive a final grade and receive a certificate.

* Learners are expected to follow the edX guide for discussion posts, honor code as stated  the edX terms of service. 
* The discussion board will be monitored periodically by the TokyoTechX Autophagy course staff and teaching assistants.