Molecular Signalling

Code:

CB4003

Acronym:

CB4003

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biological Sciences

Instance: 2016/2017 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Molecular Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Biochemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BQ	20	Plano de Estudos do MBIOQ_2013-2014	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This course unit aims to familiarise students with the molecular mechanisms used by cells to receive, process, amplify and integrate different signals. It will be discussed the general mechanisms, through which information is transmitted by proteins and signal transduction cascades. Some important signalization procedures will be integrated and applied to specific biological problems.

Learning outcomes and competences

1. Understand the general mechanisms used by cells to receive, process, amplify and integrate diverse signals;

2. Acquire advanced knowledge on molecular mechanisms through which information is transmitted by proteins and on signaling cascades involved in signal transduction;

3. Relate molecular signaling with the regulation of the metabolism and cellular processes, including proliferation, cell division, stress responses, immune responses, apoptosis and senescence;

4. Relate dysregulation of signaling pathways with aging, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases;

5. Understand therapeutic strategies based on the modulation of signaling pathways;

6. Analyze, present and discuss papers on molecular signaling;

7. Develop skills to work in groups as well as habits and methods of self-learning, including literature search.

Working method

Presencial

Program

General mechanism of molecular signalling: post-translational modifications, interaction between proteins, complex formation, alterations in the subcellular localization, conformation and enzymatic activity.

Signalling cascades: membrane receptors and cytosols; G and Ras proteins; cyclic nucleotides; Protein kinases and phosphatases; Calcium mobilization; lipids as second messengers.

Specific pathways: Metabolic response, immune signalling, stress response, cell death, cancer.

Mandatory literature

Krauss Gerhard; Biochemistry of signal transduction and regulation
Alberts Bruce; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4105-5

Complementary Bibliography

Nelson David L.; Lehninger principles of biochemistry. ISBN: 978-0-7167-7108-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical: oral presentation of the program and application of strategies of active and cooperative learning.

Analysis and discussion of scientific papers.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Biochemistry
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Functional biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Participação presencial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	86,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de campo	20,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

According to the rules of the University of Porto.

Mean of the 2 tests > 9.5 (out of 20), with minimal grade of 7 in each test

or
Written exam > 9.5 (out of 20).

Calculation formula of final grade

Presentation and discussion of scientific papers (25%) + mean of two tests (75%)

or

Presentation and discussion of scientific papers (25%) + final exam (75%)

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students with a special status will have a chance to attend a final exam.

Classification improvement

After the completion of the course unit, students can improve their grades. However, they can only improve the grade of the final exam and not the other components (continuous assessment).