Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cell and Molecular Biology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Students can make an appointment with the teacher when they deem convenient through the email:
Miquel Bosch: miquelbosch@uic.es
Introduction
This course aims to address the molecular mechanisms of cell function as a fundamental unit of biology. It is a theoretical course of cytology oriented to basic scientific knowledge. It will deal in detail with the relationship between the structure and the function of the cell, its anatomical components (membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, internal organelle, etc.) and the main physiological processes (cell division, protein synthesis and transport, cell signaling, homeostasis, differentiation, cell death, etc.). The flow of genetic information through the replication, transcription and translation processes, as well as their corresponding regulatory mechanisms, will be explained. The subject will also give us an overview of the use of energy, communication of the cell with its environment, as well as the different experimental techniques in cellular and molecular biology.
Pre-course requirements
Chemistry and Biochemistry from the first semester.
Objectives
The objectives of this course are:
- That the student acquires an integrated knowledge of the morphological structures of the eukaryotic cell, the molecular mechanisms of cell physiology, and of how cells interact with their environment.
- Explain the molecular mechanisms of the flow of genetic information and its regulation.
- That the student becomes familiar with the experimental methodology applied in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
- That the student acquires contact with the scientific literature, to able to understand and interpret the results presented in a scientific paper.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
- CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
- CE7 - To know how to recognise anatomy and physiology when applied to the structures Bioengineering involves.
- CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
- CT4 - To be able to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team, whether as a member or by management tasks, with the aim of contributing to undertaking projects based on pragmatism and a feeling of responsibility, taking on commitment while bearing the resources available in mind.
- CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
Learning outcomes of the subject
By completing this course the student should be able to acquire basic scientific knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the structure and function of cells and the molecular mechanisms of the flow of genetic information. Must be able to solve the exercises and problems raised throughout the syllabus by using the necessary tools and methodologies. Likewise, the student must become familiar with the methodology applied in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and be able to understand and interpret the results presented in a scientific article.
Syllabus
PART I - Introduction to the cell.
Lecture 1 - Presentation of the course of Cellular and Molecular Biology. Scientific Method.
Lecture 2 - Universal characteristics. Diversity: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Dogma of the flow of genetic information. Internal organization of the cell. Organelles.
Lecture 3 - Evolution of the cell. Debate on virus and extraterrestrial life.
PART II - Intracellular structures and functions I. Membranes and molecular traffick.
Lecture 4 - Plasma membrane. Membrane lipids and proteins.
Lecture 5 - Transmembrane transport. Transporters and channels.
Lecture 6 - Intracellular signaling. Receptors, ligands and signaling pathways.
Class 7 - Problems about membranes, transporters and signaling.
Lecture 8 - Endomembrane system I. Protein trafficking. Endoplasmic reticulum.
Lecture 9 - Endomembrane system II. Golgi apparatus. Exocytosis.
Lecture 10 - Endomembrane system III. Vesicular transport. Endosomes. Endocytosis. Lysosomes.
Class 11 - Problems on endomembranes and protein trafficking.
Lecture 12 - Bioenergetics: mitochondria, peroxisomes.
Class 13 - Coronavirus, Covid and mRNA-based vaccines.
PART III - Molecular Biology. Flux of information: DNA - RNA - Proteins.
Lecture 14 - The nucleus. Nucleolus. Chromatin. Nuclear membranes. Nuclear transport.
Lecture 15 - DNA, chromosomes, genes and genome. Genomic diversity.
Lecture 16 - DNA replication, repair, and recombination.
Lecture 17 - Transcription of DNA into RNA. RNA modifications. Gene regulation.
Lecture 18 - Translation of RNA into protein. Ribosomes. Protein folding and degradation.
Class 19 - Problems on molecular biology.
PART IV - Intracellular structures and functions II.
Lecture 20- The cytoskeleton I. Actin filaments.
Lecture 21- The cytoskeleton II. Microtubules. Intermediate filaments.
Lecture 22 - Adhesion junctions and extracellular matrix.
Class 23 - Students oral presentations: apoptosis, stem cells, cancer.
Class 24 - Students oral presentations; technologies: optogenetics, photopharmacology, cell therapies.
Lecture 25 - Cell cycle. Phases and control. Mitosis and meiosis.
Class 26 - Problems on lectures 20-25.
Class 27 - Exam preparation.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
1. Magisterial classes.
2. Cooperative learning.
3. Preparation and realization of evaluable activities.
4. Autonomous study and exercise work.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The total grade of the course will be calculated as follows:
- Partial exam: 20 %
- Submission of homeworks and oral presentations: 25%
- Final exam: 55%
- Up to 0.5 additional points in case of an excellent participation and attitude in magisterial lectures and problems/classwork sessions (contribution of interesting ideas or posing of pertinent questions that help to improve the quality of the session).
Important considerations:
1. To pass the course, the student must obtain a minimum grade of 5.0 both in the final exam ((either first or second call) and in the total grade for the course (not essential in the partial exam or the submitted homeworks).
2. Attendance at classes is NOT mandatory, but highly recommended. Attendance will be positively valued. The homework exercises and presentations are mandatory. The grade for these works (25% of the total) will be the average of each of the sessions (work delivered, presentation made, etc...). Failure to deliver any of these works will result in a zero in the evaluation of that session, which will be averaged with the other sessions.
3. The exams will be a combination of short written response questions and multiple choice questions (with 4 answer options, where the correct answer is worth +1 point, the incorrect ones are worth -0.25 points and the non-answer is worth 0 points).
4. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that could be considered cheating will mean a zero in that evaluation section. Doing it in the exams will mean immediate failure of the subject.
5. In the second call, the grade of the homeworks is maintained (25%). The student can choose between keeping the midterm exam grade (20%) or not taking the midterm into account and having the 2nd call exam count for 75% of the total course grade.
6. In the second call it will not be possible to obtain the grade of "Honors", so the maximum grade will be "Excellent".
7. In the third and fourth call, repeating students will be able to choose between maintaining the grade of the previous year's homeworks or repeating them. They will be able to choose between maintaining the midterm grade from the previous course, repeating it, or not taking the course and having the final or 2nd call exam count for 75% of the total grade.
8. No changes will be accepted in the calendar, exam dates or in the evaluation system.
9.Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subject to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
In english:
- Alberts B. et al., Essential Cell Biology. Fourth edition (2013), or fifth edition (2018). Garland Science.
- Alberts B, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 6th edition. Garland Science, 2015.
- Lodish H, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 7th edition Macmillan Learning, 2013 (8th edition, 2016).
En español:
- Alberts B. et al., Introducción a la Biología Celular, 3ª edición, Editorial Médica Panamericana SA, 2011
- Alberts, B et al. Biología Molecular de la Célula. 6ª edición. Ediciones Omega 2016.
- Lodish et al. Biología Celular y Molecular. 7ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana S.A. 2016.
Evaluation period
- E1 23/05/2024 A02 10:00h
- E2 20/06/2024 P2A02 10:00h