Learning outcomes

To understand how an animal (mainly human) eukaryotic cell responds to stimuli from its environment, in terms of proliferation and growth, differentiation and programmed cell death. To understand the intervention of the deregulation of these mechanisms during the development of cancer cells.

Goals

To achieve competence in understanding the mechanisms involved in initiating cell growth, differentiation and death; to know the main regulators involved in controlling these phenomena; to understand the regulatory mechanisms and their deregulation in pathological situations, particularly cancer.

Content

Cell growth and differentiation and their normal and pathological control. Signal transduction pathways from stimulus perception (receptor) to regulation of gene expression that are responsible for the adapted cellular response. Apoptosis and autophagy: mechanisms and regulations.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra course in BAC3 Biomed based on power-point presentations available on webcampus and on reference books or articles. In 2022-2023, Professor Thierry ARNOULD will again act as substitute for Professor Carine MICHIELS. For students enrolled in the Master of Physics in the "Physics of living organisms" programme, the MBIMB302 course will be taught by self-study using the reference book "Cellular and Molecular Biology" (Karp, 4th edition).

Assessment method

Written Exam. This exam typically includes open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to the sections taught by each professor. The final grade is the result of the mathematical average of the two parts. In case of an overall failure (<10/20), the student MUST retake the different sections of the course. The exam is closed-book.

If the mathematical average is higher than 10/20 but significant failures (a grade strictly below 7/20) are noted in one of the two parts of the course, a grade of 6/20 will appear on the deliberation sheet. The student will then have to retake the subjects failed in the second session while retaining the grades already earned in the first session for the other parts.

This grade carryover is only possible for the current academic year. In case of a new failure in the second session, the student will have to retake all parts of the exam in the following academic year.

The matters covered by the exam includes everything that will be covered in the course.

Sources, references and any support material

For the part taught by Professor Poumay, the books "Molecular Biology of the Cell" (Alberts et al.) and "The Biology of Cancer" (Weinberg) are useful basic references (available at the BUMP). For the part taught by Professor Arnoud, the course materials and journal or research articles are references to be read.

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences Standard 3 3