Molecular Cell Dynamics

Code:

MI115

Acronym:

DMC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2018/2019 - 2S (of 11-02-2019 to 12-07-2019)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Departamento de Biomedicina
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMED	288	Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular)	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The main goal of this course is to teach the molecular basis of cell organization and functioning, namely the metabolic pathways and the molecular flux between the cell structures and compartments. This knowledge is important for the medical student to understand the molecular and biochemical abnormalities in pathological conditions. Therefore the syllabus focuses on structural, dynamical and functional aspects of the plasmatic membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, lysosome, mitochondria and peroxisome. This unit also contains practical laboratory classes and tutorial “Journal club” sessions which are modalities important to consolidate and deeply understand the acquired knowledge. To this end, this unit takes advantage of a teaching staff with expertise in the areas of Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.

Learning outcomes and competences

It is intended in this unit that the students gain complete knowledge of:

- cell compartmentalization and intracellular dynamics

- intracellular mechanisms of protein degradation

- autophagy

- post-translational modifications in disease 

- molecular mechanisms associated to transmembrane transport of metabolites

- cell signalling pathways

- organelle structure, biogenesis and metabolic pathways

- protein trafficking

- flux of metabolites between organelles

The medical student should also be able to understand and apply biochemical and molecular biology techniques in a laboratory environment and in a context of biomedical problem-based learning as well as critically evaluate scientific papers.

Working method

Presencial

Program

cell compartmentalization and intracellular dynamics

Molecular and biochemical methods for the study of the intracellular dynamics

Reticulum stress and UPR (unfolded protein response) 

post-translacional processing in neurodegenerative disorders

Protein missfolding in disease

Membrane site contacts between organelles

Extracellular matrix

Intracellular signalling

Intercellular signalling

Signal transduction mechanisms

Mechanotransduction

Flux of metabolites between organelles

The endoplasmic reticulum: structure, biogenesis and quality control

The Golgi apparatus and vesicular transport

Endosomes and lysosomes

Flux of metabolites along the secretory pathway

The mitochondria: structure and biogenesis

Flux of metabolites in the mitochondria

The peroxisome: structure and biogenesis

Flux of metabolites in the peroxisome

Mandatory literature

Lodish, Berk, Kaiser, Krieger, Scott, Bretscher, Ploegh, Matsudaira; Molecular Cell Biology, Freeman and company
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L; Biochemistry, W.H. Freeman and Company

Complementary Bibliography

Alberts, Bray, Lewis, Raff, Roberts and Watson; Molecular Biology of the Cell , Garland Publishing, Inc
Nelson DL, Cox MM Lehningher ; Principles of Biochemistry, W.H. Freeman and Company

Teaching methods and learning activities

The lesson plan comprises 22 lectures, lasting one hour each. Since this area is subject to constant updates and due to its importance in understating the molecular basis of disease, the student is encouraged to search for further information, not only in the recommended course books but also in recent scientific papers. 

The unit will also comprise 7 practical classes, 2 hours each. These hands-on practical classes will always be supervised by a teacher in 4 groups of 3-4 students. They will take place in a molecular biology or a microscopy laboratory, with a microscope for each student.

Furthermore, there will be laboratory work (14 hours) in which the student will choose one of the following: laboratory protocol or integration into research projects. These tasks aim at developing the student’s critical thinking, discussion of scientific papers and hands-on learning of molecular biology techniques. In order to ensure adequate learning, the students will be divided into short groups of 5, each under supervision of a teacher.

To increase critical thinking of the students, three TP sessions will be prepared based on the Problem-based learning approach, which encourages independent learning and gives students practice in tackling puzzling situations, formulate hypotheses and defining their own gaps in understanding. Students are given a problem, departed from a real experiment, with a minimal amount of information. The students tried to identify all the issues and questions elicited by the problem. Afterwards, students will search information in the theoretical lectures and other sources (such as textbook and scientific papers) to frame the problem in the context of cell mechanisms and to find possible explanations. The students will prepare a presentation of their findings and present their “best” resolution of the problem.     

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Exame	75,00
Trabalho escrito	5,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	8,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	15,00
Estudo autónomo	89,00
Frequência das aulas	36,00
Trabalho laboratorial	14,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

The student must attend 75% of the practical and laboratory classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade is calculated from the score of the written test (E, 75%) and from the continuous assessment of the student (25%). The continous  assessment includes the practicle classes reports (R), the PBL session and the laboratory work (Lab).

The final grade will be calculated according to the formula:

0,75*E + Rp + PBL + Lab

The students that missed one of the continous assessment (Rp, PBL or Lab) will get the mark of zero point. The students that by law are allowed not to attend the classes may perform an equivalent written work  in accordance with the instructions given by the coordinator of the course.