BIOCHEM 3001 - Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III

This Capstone course combines lectures and tutorials with cutting edge research-based practical exercises. The lecture material covers major conceptual and technical advances in this field, focussing on two principle themes: 1. Molecular Basis of Cancer: topics include the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell communication, signal transduction pathways, 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 of 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), generation of transgenic/knock-out mice using CRISPR/Cas9 and other techniques, with medical and other applications. Finally, the topics of cell differentiation, neurogenesis and exploring neural circuits will be covered. The practical component involves a research-based practical project using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the first seven weeks of the semester to complement the lecture material, with an individually written essay on a specific research topic in the final five weeks of the semester.