Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Cross-cutting approach to the subject • Understand the links between cellular/molecular dysfunction and certain pathologies (e.g. cystic fibrosis)
  • Understand how knowledge of basic cell biology can be used to identify potential new therapeutic targets, while being aware of possible limitations
  • Integrate the wealth of information provided in the course to get the gist of it
  • Integrate comparative and evolutionary molecular aspects (case of certain membrane pores induced by bacteria or in the context of the mammalian immune system)
  • Write a scientific report in an appropriate format and with a correct bibliography, following the guidelines
  • Critically analyse the materials and methods of a scientific article in cell biology whose theme is related to the content of the course (and published in a journal with a high impact factor)

Goals

The course aims to deepen basic knowledge in cell biology by addressing more specific questions and making links with pathology, as detailed in the content.

Content

The Human Cell Biology course complements the Cell Biology course (SBIOB323) by deepening certain topics and presenting them in connection with pathobiology. It includes several learning activities (LAs).

The theoretical course covers different chapters:

  1. ABC-ATPases – Links with pathology (chemoresistance and cystic fibrosis)
  2. How and why create “holes” (pores in the cell membrane) in cells? Some bacteria and eukaryotic cells use similar molecular strategies – Links with pathology
  3. Endocytosis and associated functions
  4. The cell cycle: mechanisms, checkpoints, and regulation (self-study material)

The theoretical course is complemented by several learning activities (LAs):

  • A lab session (endocytosis of Shiga toxin and transferrin recycling, with a report to be submitted by student pairs to the professor)
  • A session on scientific article writing, focusing on both form and content (no direct evaluation)
  • A tutorial-style session introducing microscopy image analysis using the ImageJ software (no direct evaluation)
  • An article analysis report related to the course (individual work)
  • An assignment on the cell cycle (chapter in self-study)


Table of contents

  1. ABC-ATPases – Links with pathology (chemoresistance and cystic fibrosis)
  2. How and why create “holes” (pores in the cell membrane) in cells? Some bacteria and eukaryotic cells use similar molecular strategies – Links with pathology
  3. Endocytosis and associated functions
  4. The cell cycle: mechanisms, checkpoints, and regulation (self-study material)


Exercices

Three sessions complement the lecture course:

  1. A mandatory experimental lab session covering, among other topics, the endocytosis of Shiga toxin and transferrin recycling (evaluated by a report written in pairs).
  2. A session on writing a scientific article in cell biology, focusing on both content and form.
  3. A practical tutorial session on the basics of image analysis using the ImageJ software.

Sessions 2 and 3 are not individually assessed, but students are expected to apply the knowledge gained during these sessions in the writing of their lab report (mini research article format, detailed instructions available on WebCampus).

Teaching methods

The course is based on a lecture which is based on PowerPoint presentations with reference articles and small animations. Relevant websites are also visited during the lecture. A folder with articles, PowerPoint presentations and websites is available at the beginning of the course on the WebCampus platform. The practical sessions and other AAs allow the subject to be illustrated by more experimental approaches.

Assessment method

The evaluation is based both on end-of-term knowledge (exam) and largely on continuous assessment components (3 learning activities evaluated through a lab report, an article analysis report, and an assignment on the cell cycle).

1°) The theoretical course is assessed by an oral exam (one transversal question covering the course material and two definitions) — worth 11 out of 20 points.

2°) The evaluation also includes the lab session (writing a report in pairs in the format of a mini scientific article) — worth 3 out of 20 points.

3°) During the year, an individual scientific article reading report (3 out of 20 points) and an assignment on a self-study topic (cell cycle, 3 out of 20 points) will be completed. These are individual tasks.

Clear instructions for these deliverables are available on WebCampus.

All the above activities are mandatory. Failure to complete any of these activities will result in a maximum final grade of 7/20 for the course unit, until all activities have been completed by the student. If the student fails one or more activities and their overall average for the course unit is below 10/20, they may retake the failed activities during the second exam session (grades for passed activities will be retained).

Sources, references and any support material

Pdf of PowerPoint presentations

Articles mentioned in the presentations

Relevant websites

Language of instruction

French