BIOCHEM 3520 - Cancer, Stem Cells and Development (Theory) III

This course combines lectures and tutorials given by research experts in the field and covers major conceptual and technical advances, focusing 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.