Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student must be able to         

  • Understand the main mechanisms by which an animal cell responds to a molecular mediator such as a growth factor or hormone ;        
  • Understand how a normal cell becomes a cancer cell ;
  • Evaluate the possibilities of exploiting the signaling pathways for therapeutic approaches, for example in oncology or to fight against inflammation.

Goals

Introduce the student to signal transduction, by focusing on 3 categories of receptors, receptors coupled to G proteins, receptors with tyrosine kinase activity and nuclear receptors, but also to transcription and transcription factors, main targets of signal transduction. The course also aims to review teh hallmarks of cancer cell and to study how to exploit them to design anti-cancer therapies.

Content

1. Signal transduction – General introduction

General principles of signaling

Importance of phosphorylation, kinases, and phosphatases

Secondary and activatable transcription factors


2. G protein-coupled receptors or GPCRs

General overview of GPCRs and their membrane insertion model

G proteins and regulation of their activity

Adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A

Phospholipase C and protein kinase C

Examples of agonists and antagonists


3. Tyrosine kinase receptors

General overview

PDGF receptors

MAP kinase pathway

Examples of other TKR receptors

Examples of inhibitors and clinical relevance in oncology


4. Introduction to transcription and transcription factors


5. The onset of cancer

Characteristics of cancer cells

Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

Angiogenesis

Resistance to cell death

Anti-cancer therapies

Table of contents

see "content"

Teaching methods

Lessons are given in the auditorium, with drawings made on the blackboard, based on power point slides available on webcampus.

 

Assessment method

 

A pair of students will prepare a PowerPoint presentation based on a scientific article chosen by the professor. This presentation will include an introduction (general context), an explanation of the techniques used, a description of the results, and a conclusion, including a personal opinion on the work described in the article. The presentation will last between 15 and 20 minutes and will be attended by all students.

Questions relating to the course content and the students' oral presentation may be asked.

Sources, references and any support material

Scientific articles and ppt presentations.

Language of instruction

French