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Cell Biology of Disease

Module description

This module will provide insight into the molecular basis of diseases in humans and other eukaryotic organisms. The emphasis is on the underlying cell biology and molecular defects of various disorders which are linked to alterations of the cytoskeleton and intracellular motility, neurodegeneration such as in Alzheimer's or Huntington's disease, pathogen/parasite invasion, protein sorting, organelle biogenesis and metabolism.

The module is suited for students interested in molecular cell biology with a link to cytopathology, human disease and biomedicine. Good basic knowledge in cell biology is required for this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to elucidate the underlying molecular and cellular alterations in various forms of disease with particular emphasis on cellular dynamics, the cytoskeleton and organelle function. This will allow you a more integrative view and understanding of important research subjects.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Critically evaluate the molecular basis of cellular dynamics, organelle function and cellular organisation
• 2. Compare and contrast disease-related molecular mechanisms in human neurodegenerative genetic disorders
• 3. Describe in detail and analyse pathogen-based disorders and ciliopathies
• 4. Explain current understanding of inherited metabolic and organelle biogenesis disorders

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Evaluate in detail approaches to our understanding of molecular and cell biology with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles
• 6. Analyse in detail essential facts and theory in a subdiscipline of the biosciences
• 7. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using written and oral means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 9. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
• 10. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data with very limited guidance
• 11. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)

Syllabus plan

Lecture content will provide the cytological background and more profound insight into human diseases. Thereafter, this content will be revised and expanded in seven scientific discussion sessions that will be led by teaching academics. For each session, small groups of three students (depending on the number of students in the module) will prepare a 15-minute presentation based on lecture material and selected literature. This will be followed by an open discussion (5-10 minutes) after each student presentation. The presentations will be given by three spokespeople (depending on the number of students in the module). The case report analysis will be based on a patient case report and workshop with problem-based learning approach. The scientific essay will focus on lecture/presentation material.

Accessibility Statement:

As part of this module you will be required to undertake group work and deliver a presentation in class towards your summative assessment.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Alberts B. et al. (2015) Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th Edition). Garland Science ISBN978-0-8153-4464-3

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Primary research publications and review articles covering various topics will be made available.

Key words search

Cytoskeleton, mitosis, molecular motor, dynein, kinesin, microtubule, actin, myosin, cilium, organelle, lysosomes, peroxisomes, mitochondria, autophagy, neurodegeneration, stem cells