Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cell Biology II
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Students can ask questions about the course and syllabus before or after each class, or during breaks. It is recommended that students use the Foro de Dudas on Moodle. Office-based tutoring sessions outside of class can be scheduled with any of the lecture or case methods instructors via email.
Faculty:
- Course Coordinator, Lecture Instructor for Block I: Miquel Bosch (miquelbosch@uic.es).
- Lecture and Case Methods Instructor for Block I: Andrea Santuy Muñoz (asantuy@uic.es).
- Lecture and Case Methods Instructor for Block II: Sally Hamdon (shamdon@uic.es).
Introduction
Cells act like tiny computers: to perform their function, they must receive information from their environment, process it, compute it, and generate an appropriate response. If any part of this molecular machinery fails, the response is inadequate, and a pathology arises. This course focuses, firstly, on the mechanisms of intracellular signaling: we will examine the processes of perceiving signals from other cells and delve into the molecular mechanisms of the main internal information processing pathways. Secondly, we will study how alterations in these pathways lead to pathologies. We will explore the molecular mechanisms of injury, stress, and cellular damage, their consequences (cancer, aging, types of cell death, etc.), and cellular responses (adaptation, inflammation, regeneration, repair, etc.). The course is designed to provide knowledge of the molecular and cellular basis of intracellular signaling pathways and their pathological alterations, two of the most important areas of biomedical research for understanding cell physiology and for developing medical, genetic, and pharmacological treatments for most diseases.
This course contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 3, 9, 10, 12 and 17, by promoting health, people's well-being, biomedical innovation, social equity, transparency in results and strategic partnerships for scientific and social progress.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisite course required; however, essential knowledge and concepts from previous semester courses of Cell Biology I, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are strongly recommended.
Objectives
- Provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles, signaling pathways, and functionality of different types of receptors (GPCRs, tyrosine kinase, ionotropic, intracellular, among others), linking these concepts to physiological and pathological processes.
- Foster active learning and critical thinking through interactive methods: Use case studies, debates, role-playing, and interactive activities to enable students to analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge about cellular signaling pathways in real and simulated contexts.
- Guide students in researching, preparing, and presenting topics related to cellular signaling, promoting the integration of theoretical knowledge with analytical, argumentative, and problem-solving skills.
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Explain the basic principles of cellular pathology, focusing on the structure and function of different tissue types and how alterations at the cellular and molecular levels can contribute to the development of various pathologies.
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Foster students' ability to identify the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of cell injury, as well as cellular responses to stress, adaptation, and subcellular alterations, in order to understand how these processes are involved in diseases and disorders.
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Introduce the concepts of inflammation, repair, cell regeneration, and types of cell death in the context of pathology, explaining their implications in the development of diseases such as cancer, cellular aging, and other chronic pathological conditions.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Define the structure and function of the cell, as well as intra and extracellular communication and its regulation through the main routes of cell signalling, in both developing and adult individuals.
- CN02 - Recognise the molecular foundations that explain transcriptional and post-transcriptional phenomena in eukaryotes in their adult state and during their development, as well as the basic genetic principles that define the basis of genetic inheritance.
- CN03 - Have a general overview of the diversity of micro-organisms and their impact on human life.
- CN15 - Identify analytical and experimental methodologies used in the field of Biomedical Sciences, whether they be established or cutting-edge.
- CP01 - Interpret basic biological concepts and the specific language of biomedical sciences in health, both in their native language and English, by applying autonomous learning.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB01 - Interpret basic data obtained in the biomedical research laboratory, identifying consistent and inconsistent elements, both individually and in a team.
Learning outcomes of the subject
By the end of the course, students should:
- Explain the function of ligands, receptors, and intracellular signaling pathways, with an emphasis on the interaction between these components in mediating specific cellular responses.
- Differentiate between the cyclic AMP pathway and the IP3 and Ca2+ pathways, identifying their relevance in cellular processes and their regulation.
- Evaluate the mechanisms of action of enzyme-linked receptors and their physiological functions.
- Describe the function of pathways such as Notch, Wnt, TNF, and Hedgehog, and their contribution to complex cellular processes such as synaptic plasticity and the tumor microenvironment.
- Analyze the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways and the role of intracellular receptors in cellular regulation and homeostasis.
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Identify and describe the basic principles of histology, tissue types, and their relationship to the development of pathologies, understanding how alterations at the molecular and cellular levels contribute to various diseases.
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Recognize the genetic and epigenetic alterations that can lead to the development of pathologies, such as cancer and other complex diseases, relating these changes to the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Identify the causes and mechanisms of cell injury, understand cellular responses to stress and cellular adaptation, and evaluate the consequences of subcellular alterations on cellular homeostasis.
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Describe the inflammatory process as a response to cell injury, as well as the mechanisms of cell repair and regeneration, and how these processes can be altered in chronic or acute diseases.
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Identify and analyze the consequences of the accumulation of cellular damage, such as cell death, cancer, aging, and cellular senescence, understanding how these processes influence aging and disease progression.
Syllabus
Lecture 1. Principles of intracellular signaling. Ligands. Receptors. Pathways.
Lecture 2. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs I). Cyclic AMP pathway.
Case Method 1. Signaling pathways - Back to the Past (research and preparation).
Lecture 3. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs II). IP3 and Ca²⁺ pathways.
Case Method 2. Review of past presentations (presentation skills session).
Case Method 3. Signal Rewiring - The Street Fighter (interactive session).
Lecture 4. Enzyme-coupled receptors (I). Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Insulin.
Case Method 4. Clonal selection and mutation - The Blade Runner (discussion/role-playing).
Lecture 5. Enzyme-coupled receptors (II). Ser/Thr kinase receptors.
Lecture 6. Ionotropic receptors. Synaptic plasticity.
Lecture 7. Other signaling pathways: Notch, Wnt, TNF, Hedgehog.
Lecture 8. Intracellular receptors. NO. Nuclear receptors.
Case Method 5. Tumor microenvironment - The Unusual Suspects (research and preparation).
Case Method 6. Interrogating cell signaling pathways - Cluedo (game session).
Lecture 9. Apoptosis. Intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Lecture 10. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in the development of pathologies.
Case Method 7. Oxidative stress.
Lecture 11. Alterations in cell communication in the development of pathologies.
Case Method 8. Subcellular alterations.
Case Method 9. Anti-inflammatory diet.
Lecture 12. Cell injury: causes and mechanisms.
Lecture 13. Responses to cellular stress: cellular adaptation.
Case Method 10. Cellular adaptations.
Lecture 14. Responses to cell injury: subcellular alterations I and II.
Lecture 15. Responses to cell injury: inflammation.
Lecture 16. Repair and regeneration.
Lecture 17. Consequences of the accumulation of cellular injury: cell death and cancer.
Case Method 11. Cancer.
Lecture 18. Consequences of the accumulation of cellular injury: aging and senescence.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully In-Person Classroom Modality
The course uses different types of classes to connect theoretical cell biology with basic scientific research.
1. Master classes- 36 hours: Presentation of a theoretical topic by the teaching staff, with occasional interaction and participation of students.
2. Case Method (CM) - 22 hours: A real or imaginary problem or situation is proposed. Students work on the given questions in small groups or through active interaction with the teaching staff, and the answers are discussed. The teaching staff actively participates and, if necessary, provides new knowledge.
3. Virtual Education - 4 hours: Online materials that students can access from any computer at any time, contributing to self-learning concepts related to the subject.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Attendance to lectures is not compulsory, but highly advisable. If attending, punctuality is required Attendance to the case methods (CM) is a priori not compulsory; however, not attending a class will result in a 0 (zero) score for that specific class, in case it is an evaluable session. Therefore, in case the assistance to any given session is not possible, a valid justification of absence must be sent to the CM teacher well in advance. The exams will consist of test type questions (with 4 answer options, the correct anwer counting +1 points, the incorrect answers counting -0.3 points, and the no-answer counting 0 points). To pass the course, it is necessary to meet these two conditions: a minimum grade of 5.0 must be obtained in the final course grade, and a minimum grade of 5.0 must be obtained in the final exam (first or second call). The course is evaluated as following:
Students in first and second calls:
- 20% Midterm exam.
- 25% Preparation, participation and attitude in the case methods. Score will be the average of each session.
- 55% Final exam (1st or 2nd call). It is necessary to pass this exam with >5.0.
- Up to 0.5 additional points in case of an excellent participation, interest and attitude in magisterial lectures and case methods (contribution of interesting ideas or posing of pertinent questions that help improving the quality of the session).
Repeating students in third or subsequent exam calls: they will do the final exam of each call that will count 75% of the final grade and that will averaged with the grade of the case methods (25%) obtained in the first call. The midterm exam will not be taken into account, unless the student request it before the final exam. Whenever they wish, the students can attend the magistral lectures and/or repeat the case methods to obtain a new grade, and/or repeat the midterm exam to obtain a new grade; in these cases, the student must comunicate it to the coordinator in advance.
Use of Electronic Devices: The misuse of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. Misuse includes recording or distributing images of students or professors during lessons, as well as using devices for non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING
Alberts B, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 6th edition. Garland Science, 2015.
Alberts B. et al., Essential Cell Biology. Fourth edition (2013), or fifth edition (2018). Garland Science.
Lodish H, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 7th edition Macmillan Learning, 2013 (8th edition, 2016).
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.
MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
Coleman, W. B., & Tsongalis, G. J. (2020). Essential Concepts in Molecular Pathology (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
Coleman, W. B., & Tsongalis, G. J. (2018). Molecular Pathology: The Molecular Basis of Human Disease (2nd ed.). Academic Press.
Tsongalis, G. J. (Ed.). (2021). Advances in Molecular Pathology, 2021 (1st ed.). Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323813358
Coleman, W. B., & Tsongalis, G. J. (2023). Diagnostic Molecular Pathology: A Guide to Applied Molecular Testing (2nd ed.). Elsevier Science.
Leonard, D. G. B. (2016). Molecular Pathology in Clinical Practice (2nd ed.). Springer.
Evaluation period
- E1 18/05/2026 A16 14:00h
- E2 25/06/2026 A16 11:00h