Cellular Biology

Code:

MI071102

Acronym:

BIOCEL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Natural Sciences

Instance: 2019/2020 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Biochemistry Laboratory
Course/CS Responsible:	MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MICF	221	Official Curriculum	1	-	6	65	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

It is intended that students obtain: i) knowledge of the basic principles of biochemistry and main experimental methodologies for the study of cell ii) understanding the properties common to all eukaryotic cells: expression and transmission of genetic information, the internal organization of cells . These skills are fundamental to the subjects that are taught throughout the course.

Learning outcomes and competences

Acquisition of basic knowledge about the cellular function necessary for understanding all biological processes

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

not aplicable

Program

The evolution of the cell. Understanding chemical components of cells and cellular energy. Methods for studying cell: microscopy, cell fractionation and analysis of their molecules. Basic genetic mechanisms: transcription, mRNA processing, translation, and DNA replication. Mechanisms of DNA repair. Composition of biomembranes and membrane transport. Internal organization of the cells: the cytosol, structure and function of various organelles (peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria). Nucleus and nucleolus. Cytoskeleton. Intercellular junctions, cell adhesion and extracellular matrix. Cell signaling. Cell death and cancer. Cell cycle: interphase and mitosis. Meiosis.

Laboratory program
Cytological Techniques: i) Wet mounts ii) Final preparations without inclusion; iii) Final preparations with inclusion Measurement of cells,  immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Separation of cells. Cell culture.Fluorescent  and phase contrast microspe . Bibliographique search  on various topics

Mandatory literature

Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell
Harvey Lodish, Arnold Berk, Chris Kaiser, Monty Krieger, Matthew Scott, Anthony Bretscher, Hidle Ploegh, Paul Matsudaira; Molecular Cell Biology, Scientific American Books, W.H. Freeman Company, New York,, 2016

Complementary Bibliography

Carlos Azevedo; Biologia Celular e Molecular, ., Lidel, edições técnicas, 2005
J.K. Presnell, M.P. Schreibman; Humason´s – Animal Tissue Techniques, the Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore & London, 1997

Teaching methods and learning activities

a) Lectures (3 hours/week): master classes illustrated using  data show and videos. b) The laboratory work (2 hours/week) is performed individually and according to the schedule previously established. In the first lecture is provided all the fundamentals and protocols of work performed in the laboratory classes c) In laboratory classes students will report to the corresponding literature search conducted on topics proposed by the Lecturers d) The Lecturer in charge is available in the hours announced early in the semester and during exams by appointment at any other time.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	80,00
Trabalho escrito	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	0,00
Frequência das aulas	0,00
Trabalho laboratorial	0,00
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

-The assistance of students to the laboratory classes is mandatory, being considered infrequently students whose attendance is less than 75% of classes planned
- The attendance of students at lectures is not mandatory.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is the sum of the final exam (80%) and distributed evaluation (20%).  The distributed evaluation is composed by i) reports in laboratory classes ii) examination held in the last laboratory class. Assessment is expressed on a scale of 0 to 20. Students rated below 9.5 are considered disapproved. There are no oral exams.

Examinations or Special Assignments

not applicable

Internship work/project

not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students who are exempted by law from the presence of laboratory classes are required to perform a exam laboratory. The approval of this laboratory test is a prerequisite for admission to the student's final exam written test.

Classification improvement

Students may apply for grade improvement only once per subject, one of the two times, normal or appeal, immediately subsequent to that they received approval.
The final classification will be the highest of those obtained in the two tests performed.

Observations

Students should have a basic knowledge of chemistry and biology taught in secondary schools.
Teaching Language: Portuguese and eventually English only in the pratical classes.