Code: | MI115 | Acronym: | DMC |
Keywords | |
---|---|
Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Medicine |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Departamento de Biologia Experimental |
Course/CS Responsible: | Integrated Master in Medicine |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MIMED | 266 | Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular) | 1 | - | 6 | 56 | 162 |
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.
It is intended in this unit that the students gain complete knowledge of:
- cell compartmentalization and intracellular dynamics
- the structure and specialization of plasma membrane
- molecular mechanisms associated to transmembrane transport of metabolites
- cell signalling pathways
- cytoskeleton
- 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.
cell compartmentalization and intracellular dynamics
Molecular and biochemical methods for the study of the intracellular dynamics
Biological membranes
Transmembrane transport
Electric transduction – neuronal membrane
Actin and cell contraction
Intermediate filaments, microtubules and movement on microtubules
Cell surface specializations
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
The lesson plan comprises 22 lectures, lasting one hour each, and 10 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 additional tasks (14 one-hour sessions) in which the student will choose one of the following: lab work 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 60 groups of 5, each under supervision of a teacher.
Designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 80,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 20,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
Designation | Time (hours) |
---|---|
Frequência das aulas | 75,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 25,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
The final grade is calculated from the score of the written test (E, 80%) and from the continuous assessment of the student (20%). The continous assessment includes the practicle classes reports (R), the minitest (AI) and the laboratory work (Lab).
The final grade will be calculated according to the formula:
0,8*E + 0,2*(0,25*Rp+0,25*AI + 0,5*Lab)