Molecular Signalling

Code:

MO16

Acronym:

SM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Health Sciences

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S (of 13-02-2023 to 02-06-2023)

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

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MO	12	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	3	23	81

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, and the link between changes in cell signaling and cancer.

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 cancer;

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

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

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 nuclear receptors; G and Ras proteins; cyclic nucleotides; Protein kinases and phosphatases; Calcium mobilization; lipids as second messengers.
Thyroid cancer, gastric cancer, and leukemias.

 

Mandatory literature

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

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 > Human biology
Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Oncology
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Functional biology
Physical sciences > Chemistry > Biochemistry

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	46,00
Frequência das aulas	23,00
Trabalho de campo	12,00
Total:	81,00

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).