UCL - Biologie cellulaire et moléculaire approfondie (2e partie)

[SBIM2214]

[32h] 4 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

Teacher(s): Stefan Constantinescu, Frédéric Lemaigre

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The students are expected to acquire a broad understanding of the molecular mechanisms on which intercellular signaling molecules (hormones, growth factors, messengers of intercellular communication) rely in order to control cell activity. At the end of the course the students should be able to (i) understand how perturbations of signaling mechanisms lead to several pathologic conditions, (ii) understand the literature of the field, (iii) acquire the ability to critically analyze seminars/conferences and novel findings in the field of cell signaling and relate those findings to the general state of the art in the field, (iv) and use their acquired knowledge to approach novel questions in the field.

Main themes

The course describes the molecular cell biology of hormone action and focuses on the main molecular mechanisms of action of the major classes of intercellular signals (signal transduction pathways). The course approaches the theoretical and technical principles by which these signaling mechanisms are studied. How perturbations in these signaling pathways lead to pathologic conditions, such as developmental defects and cancer represents an important focus of the course.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Requirements : Basic notions of general biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology. Evaluation: (i) Oral exam with written preparation. The student will be evaluated with respect to acquired knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge in order to solve problems.
(ii) Evaluation of the summaries of the two conferences
Support: Notes of the course and reprints of scientific papers.