Teacher(s)

Bertrand Luc; Cani Patrice (coordinator); Gilon Patrick; Lanthier Nicolas; Veiga Da Cunha Maria;

Language

French

Main themes

This course aims to study the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cellular activity and metabolism. Different membrane and nuclear receptors as well as transcription factors directly regulated by nutrients and/or their metabolites will be investigated (e.g. : PPAR's, FXR, chREBP, GRP40/120/119/41/43, Toll like receptors (TLR's)). We will also study the mechanisms regulating specific signaling pathways involved in energy homeostasis, lipid and glucose metabolism (e.g., insulin, AMPK, mTOR, ROS).

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, the students will be able  : (1) to understand and to explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms influenced by nutrients (e.g.: different type of lipids, proteins and amino acids, specific carbohydrates) and their cellular metabolites (e.g.: ceramides, DAG, endocannabinoids, ...), (2) to describe the mechanisms regulating gene expression directly connected with energy, glucose and lipid metabolism, (3) to understand the key features regulating physiology and metabolism and that may be involved in the onset of specific pathological disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, pancreatic and hepatic diseases.

Content

This course aims to provide to students from all orientations the necessary knowledge to:
(1) understand and explain the molecular and cellular mechanisms influenced by various nutrients, by the gut microbiota and certain cellular metabolites
(2) describe the mechanisms regulating the expression of different genes directly involved in energy, carbohydrates and lipid metabolism, and
(3) understand the key physiological regulations of metabolism and also understand the mechanisms involved in triggering different pathologies such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic inflammation, cardio-metabolic disorders, pancreatic and hepatic diseases.
The course focuses on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cellular/molecular activities and metabolism. The molecular and cellular mechanisms influenced by various kinds of energetic or non-energetic nutrients (for example: different types of lipids, proteins and amino acids, specific carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements) or the impact of the intestinal microbiota and related metabolites are being studied.
More precisely, the different professors address both molecular aspects and the regulation of different membrane and nuclear receptors, but also various transcription factors directly regulated by nutrients (for example: PPAR's, LXR, chREBP, TLR's, GPR40 / 120 / 119/ 41/ 43) as well as the regulatory mechanisms of certain signaling pathways involved in energy, lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis (eg: insulin, AMPK, mTOR, etc.).

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The course will be fully given in the auditorium.
The team of teachers is composed of professors that have a specific knowledge and complementary expertise in molecular and cellular aspects. Each member of the team will teach themes that are in his field of expertise and for some of them directly developed in their research practice. It is worth noting that this will be coordinated between the different members of the teaching team in order to integrate as much as possible all the different aspects of the course. Finally, this approach will help to maintain the content of the course relatively up to date in this fast moving field.

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Written exam on all parts of the course. The student should provide criticism and integrate the different themes addressed during the course

Other information

Faculty or entity

FASB