BSc Molecular Biology with a Modern Language / Course details

You will gain an understanding of the molecular events which lead to cancer. Particular attention will be paid to: the specific molecular events leading to the formation of specific tumours; the processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin and gene regulation and signal transduction to tumorigenesis; the latest developments in basic cancer research. You will also explore the impact of molecular biology on developing cancer therapies. The lecture series will split into the three main topics of tumour formation, molecular basis and therapies covering a diverse range of topics including "Genomic approaches to cancer research”,  "Tissues invasion and metastasis" and "Cancer cures and possible therapies".

To provide students with a general understanding of the molecular events which lead to cancer.

The students will; (a) have an understanding of the specific molecular events leading to the formation of specific tumours; (b) be able to relate the processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, chromatin and gene regulation and signal transduction to tumorigenesis; (c) be acquainted with the latest developments in basic cancer research; (d) to be able to apply molecular knowledge in developing cancer therapies.

Tumour formation and progression

• Statistics and environmental causes of cancer. 

• Concept of multi-step progression and the multiple-hit hypothesis.

• Introduction to the cellular changes and the stages in cancer progression.

• Mechanisms of genomic instability.

• Cell cycle checkpoints and telomere maintenance

• DNA repair mechanisms, drug metabolism and their relationship to cancer.

• Translocations and cancer.

• Predisposition to cancer. e.g. in retinoblastomas and breast cancers.

• Tissue invasion and metastasis

Molecular basis

• Tumour suppressor proteins including p53 and RB and relationship to cell cycle

• Epigenetic, chromatin and gene regulation changes in cancer

• Introduction to MAP kinase signal transduction pathways

• Nuclear targets of MAP kinase signal transduction pathways.

• Relationship between oncogenes and signal transduction pathways.

• Pathway crosstalk and relationship to tumourigenesis.

• Apoptosis and its relationship to cancer.

Therapies

• Cancer diagnosis, cures and possible therapies.

Self-directed learning

• Research into specific cancers and identification of specific molecular changes associated with individual tumours.

• Research into the following topics; Telomeres and cancer, Cancer Stem Cell Hypothesis, Tumour Angiogenesis, additional signalling pathways disrupted in Cancers.

• Formative post lecture interactive tests on Nearpod.

eLearning activity

Online interactive quizzes, one of which illustrates the molecular defects found in cancer cells in the context of diagnosing and treating a patient with lung cancer.

Feedback will be provided on the in course assessment, and via an interactive e-learning exercise.

Weinberg, RA (2006/2014) The Biology of Cancer. Garland Science