Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Cancer - block I

Det helsevitenskapelige fakultet

Theoretical

The course is divided into three modules:

Module I cover the topics molecular genetics of cancer, and discuss the basic molecular mechanisms leading to development of cancer. The main issues are mechanisms for cell-cycle regulation, proliferation, transformation and cell survival. How dysregulation of any of these processes may contribute to cancer development is discussed.

The topic of Module II is signal transduction and cancer. Here the various intracellular signalling pathways that are found to be dysregulated in cancer are discussed. Among these are the pathways that regulate cell proliferation, cell survival, transformation and differentiation.

Module III is covering tumour biology. Here the main mechanisms that regulate metastasis, angionegenesis, and apoptosis are described. These processes are fundamental for embryogenesis, but are also central in the establishment and maintenance of cancer cells.

The student should know the main knowledge within the topic genetics of cancer and understand the basic molecular mechanisms leading to development of cancer. This includes mechanisms for cell-cycle regulation, proliferation, transformation and cell survival. The student should know how dysregulation of any of these processes may contribute to cancer development. The student should know the various intracellular signalling pathways that are found to be dysregulated in cancer, especially pathways that regulate cell proliferation, cell survival, transformation and differentiation. The student should know the main mechanisms that regulate metastasis, angionegenesis, and apoptosis in tumor biolog, and be able to describe how these processes are central in the establishment and maintenance of cancer cells.

English

Lectures (35 hours) and Seminars (15 hours). The course is given each autumn.

The exam is divided into three parts, 2 student presentations on given topics (Research papers) and an Essay. The exam is evaluated as passed/not passed and each part of the exam must be passed.

Continuation exam is given early in the spring semester.

The three exams (2 presentations and one essay) are evaluated separately as passed/not passed. All three parts have to be passed to pass the course. Continuation on a part/parts that is evaluated to "not passed" will be given early the following semester.

Lectures and Seminars are obligatory.

The lectures, seminars and the "hand outs" that are given during the course defines the curriculum.