NBIK13018U Neuromuscular Development and Disease

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine
Content

This module is designed to introduce students to neuromuscular development and disease.

Major topics to be covered include development and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells, muscle stem cells in regeneration; muscle degenerative diseases and stem cell based therapies.

Students will also gain insight into general principles of embryonic nervous system development, neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, as well as animal models for neurodegenerative diseases.

In addition, related topics to be covered for Neurobiology include the ionic basis of neuronal signalling; the molecular biology of ion channels and their function in physiology and disorders; the development of the neuromuscular junction; and the auditory system as an example of encoding of a sensory input.

1. Muscle Biology
a. Development of skeletal muscle
b. Differentiation of muscle stem cells
c. Muscle stem cells in regeneration
d. Muscle disorders and therapies

2. Development of the nervous system
a. Neural induction and patterning
b. Differentiation in central and peripheral nervous system
c. Neuroregeneration and neural stem cells
d. Animal models for human neurodegenerative diseases

3. Neurobiology
a. Ionic basis of neuronal signalling
b. Molecular biology of ion channels & ion channelopathies
c. Development of neuromuscular junction
d. Auditory system
Learning Outcome

At the end of the module, students should gain a good understanding on the following:

-   Developmental processes involved in making muscle and nerve cells.

-   Ionic basis of neuronal signalling

-   Mechanisms underlying audition

-   Mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle pathologies, neurodegenerative disorders, ion channelopathies and regenerative processes.

-  Animal modelsfor muscular dystrophy, mouse and fish models for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and ALS, as well as mouse models of ion channelopathies.

Students will be given selected research papers to read with specific deliverables to gain the ability to review, analyse and test hypothesis of recent literature on the above topics.

Literature
Students will be given a list of selected materials, compiled by the lecturers, to read before the start of the programme as part of the preparation for the summer school.
Lectures, presentations/​discussion, CA, group work.
The course will mainly be based on key scientific papers and review articles.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 71
  • Project work
  • 30
  • Seminar
  • 12
  • Total
  • 137
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Tutorials/seminars; 1 test; essays; group presentaion
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
See description of learning outcome