BIOCHEM 3001 - Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III

This Capstone course combines lectures and tutorials with cutting edge research-based practical exercises. The lecture material is given by research experts in this field and covers major conceptual and technical advances, focussing on two principle themes: 1. Molecular Basis of Cancer: topics include the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell communication, signal transduction pathways and their control, genetic mutations, oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, clonal selection, the hallmarks of cancer and metastasis, dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints, DNA damage, replicative senescence, telomere shortening and genomic instability, control of cell proliferation and apoptosis, cancer-specific metabolism and oncometabolites. Specific examples are included of current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer. 2. Stem Cells and Development: topics include the embryonic and adult stem cells, cellular reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), stem cells in cancer, the use of CRISPR/Cas9 and other techniques to generate animal models and genetic screens, with medical and other applications. The practical component in the first seven weeks of the semester involves a research-based practical project using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to achieve targeting genome editing in cultured cells. This practical complements the lecture material, and is followed by an individually written essay on a specific research topic in the final five weeks of the semester.