In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of
the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect
the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.
The subject of Cellular Biology is studied during the first semester of second year of Medicine, corresponding to a pre-clinical period, where the student has already acquired a basic knowledge of the composition and structure of macromolecules, the structural and functional organization of the cells in subjects of the first year like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
At this point, this subject aims to expand the student's knowledge on cellular physiology, particularly in relation to the regulation of: the extra-and intracellular communication, cell cycle, cancer biology, developmental biology, cell death and specific functions of certain cell types, which together, provide to the student a good understanding of the structural and functional organization of the human body in normal and pathological situation.
In addition to the theoretical knowledge acquired in Cell Biology, this course is completed with practical training, as seminars and paper presentations, which allow to introduce students into the techniques, terminology and therapeutic approaches used in top level scientific research.
The coordinator of the subject during the course 20_21 is Dr Rut Fadó
The majority vehicular languages: Catalan and Spanish (some material, in english)
Pre-course requirements
Being a first-semester subject in the second year, the students must have previously coursed the subjects of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Introduction to Medical Genetics in the first year of Medicine. Therefore, to guarantee a good follow up and acquisition of the objectives is recommended that students have knowledge in:
- Biochemistry: Structure and properties of molecules and macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids)
- Cellular anatomy: structure and function of organelles
- Molecular biology: gene expression
- Transport through the plasma membrane
- Energetic metabolism: cellular respiration
- Genetics
- Techniques of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Furthermore, it is desirable that students have a good knowledge of English because many of the information sources are in this language.
Objectives
Show and providing the necessary tools to the students to understand and use in the future the theoretical content about: extra and intracellular communication, cellular cycle, cancer, the processes of mitosis, meiosis, gametogenesis and fertilization; the early stages of embryonic development at cellular level, cell death and neurodegeneration.
Show and providing the necessary tools to the students, through group work and seminars, to find, understand and communicate effectively structural and functional cellular mechanisms in relation to diseases, disorders and / or therapeutic strategies.
Providing the necessary tools to the students, through group work and supervised sessions, to understand, interpret and effectively communicate knowledge from scientific articles in top-level of Cellular Biology, get your own conclusions and form critical reasoning.
Competencies
05 - Recognize own limitations and the need to maintain and upgrade professional skills, with particular emphasis on autonomous learning of new knowledge and skills and motivation for quality.
07 - Understand and recognise normal structure and function of the human body at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ and systemetic levels, at different stages of life and in both sexes.
09 - Understand and recognize the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of disease on the structure and function of the human body.
11 - Understand and recognize the effects of growth, development and aging on the individual and their social environment.
12 - Understanding the foundations for action, the indications and efficacy of therapeutic interventions, based on available scientific evidence.
23 - Communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing with patients, family members, media and other professionals.
37 - Acquire basic training for research.
CB-1 - To have acquired advanced knowledge and demonstrated, within the context of highly specialised scientific and technological research, detailed comprehension based on theoretical and practical aspects and a working methodology from one or more fields of study.
CB-2 - To know how to apply and incorporate knowledge, an understanding of it and its scientific basis and the ability to solve problems in new and loosely defined environments, including multidisciplinary contexts that include both researchers and highly specialised professionals.
CB-5 - To transmit in a clear and unambiguous way to a specialised or non-specialised audience, the results of scientific and technological research projects and innovation from the field of the most advanced innovation, as well as the most important concepts which they are based on.
CTP-3 - To develop critical thinking and reasoning as well as self-assessment skills.
Learning outcomes
The objective of Cell Biology at the end of the course is that students will be able to:
· Explain the general processes of extra and intracellular communication.
· Identify the molecules involved in the intracellular signaling processes and their interrelations.
· Identify the molecules that participate in the control of the regulation of the cell cycle and its relation to the cancerous processes.
· Explain the process of formation of the embryo and the first phases of human embryonic development at the cellular and molecular level.
· Describe the mechanisms involved in cell death for necrosis, reticular stress, autophagy and apoptosis.
· Understand and use the scientific terminology used in the field of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology.
· Search, organize and communicate scientific and health information.
Syllabus
The subject of Cellular Biology is divided into 5 distributive blocks:
Block 1: Extra and intracellular communication
Introduction. Cellular biology techniques
Communication between cells
Ligand-Receptor
Signaling pathways activate by GPCR
Signaling pathways activate by TRK and associated to TRK
Other signaling pathways
Block 2: Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology
The cell cycle: replication of complex systems
Cell cycle entry: from Michaelis-Menten to molecular switches
Molecular events, checkpoints and cycle exit
Proliferation and growth: towards 3D tissue engineering
Cancer, DNA damage signaling and subversion
Block 3. Early embrionic developmental biology
General characteristics
Gametogenesis
From zygot to gastrula
From gastrula to fetus
Block 4. Cell death and degeneration
Cell Death
Apoptosis
Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer
Congress of Cellular Biology
Poster session
Oral communications
Plenary session
Cases in divided groups (GD) and Problem Based Learning (ABPs)
Techniques applied to the diagnosis. X-Fragile Syndrome. Optogenetics applied to blindness. Retinitis pigmentosa. EDCs. Prions. The case of thalidomide. Alterations in BRCA1. Aging. Cancer and immunotherapy. Regeneration. Spina bifida. Edition with CRISPR. Gene therapy
Congress project and social learning (ApS)
Feeding the brain: the effect of nutrients on learning and memory
Teaching and learning activities
Evaluation systems and criteria
Bibliography and resources
Alberts B, et al. Molecular Biology of the cell. 6th edition Garland Science, 2015.