NBIK10015U Cell Cycle Control and Cancer

Volume 2016/2017
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine

Content

To give students a thorough understanding of pioneering and contemporary cell cycle research with emphasis on the mechanisms that are deregulated in cancer.

To be able to understand, evaluate and convey molecular genetic research on cell cycle control and cancer development.

Following themes:

  • Cancer as a genetic disease
  • Basic cell-cycle regulation and deregulation of the pRB pathway
  • p53 and checkpoints
  • Genetic instability and DNA repair
  • Mitosis
  • Loss of heterozygousity
  • Epigenetics and cancer
  • Mechanisms of chromosome mis-segregation
  • Fragile sites in chromosome replication


Within each course week one or two themes will be covered by an introductory lecture, by group discussions of papers (journal-club format) and by a research seminar given by an expert in the field.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

A critical experimental approach applied to the study of cell cycle control. The course is heavy on genetics, but also deals with techniques of cell biology, protein chemistry and biochemistry.

Skills:

The student will be able to read, understand and convey the reasoning and logic of scientific experiments that deals with experimental approaches to cell cycle control in normal cells, and the genetic deregulation of theses control mechanisms that causes cancer or contribute to cancer development.

Competences:

To be able to understand, evaluate and convey molecular genetic research on cell cycle control and cancer development.

See Absalon.

Molecular Genetics or equivalent.
Lectures, group discussions of research papers, and guest seminars.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 27
  • Preparation
  • 148
  • Theory exercises
  • 27
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
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Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners/co-examiners.
Re-exam

If ten or fewer students have signed up for re-exam, the type of assessment will be changed to oral exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

The exam evaluate the ability to draw scientific conclusions on experimental data taken from scientific publications.

The grade 12 is given for outstanding performance demonstrating complete fulfillment of the under "Learning Outcome" described, with no or few minor weaknesses.