Module Information

From stem cells to metastatic cancer the molecular mechanisms regulating cells are central to our understanding of how life on Earth functions. Furthermore, cell biology is critical for the development of treatments for many of the most significant diseases afflicting humans. In this module we will use the life of the cell and cancer as frameworks to examine the fundamental processes, shared by so many organisms, which regulate the normal and abnormal function of cells. The cellular pathology of a broader range of diseases, and the methods used in clinical laboratories, will also be explored.

The module will begin with an introduction to the key molecular mechanisms underpinning cell biology such as signalling and gene expression. The molecular biology of the cell will then be explored further in the context of aspects of the life of the cell such as the cell cycle, differentiation or apoptosis. The molecular biology and pathology of cancer has revealed much about the workings of normal cells and disruptions to signalling and gene expression, amongst other processes, will be examined in the context of oncogenesis. We will also examine the role of cell behaviour, and its molecular basis, in the development of metastatic disease. We relate the molecular biology of cancer to its treatment and prognosis. In addition, we will examine the cellular processes that underpin diseases that affect the cardio-vascular system, brain, and bone, as well as autoimmune conditions. Cellular pathology will include the theory and practical preparation of both cells and tissues, including fixation, embedding and microtomy, and the application of visual techniques.