Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cell and Molecular Biology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Students can arrange an appointment with the teacher and coordinator Miquel Bosch (miquelbosch@uic.es) or with the teacher Andrea Santuy (asantuy@uic.es) when they deem convenient through the email.
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, 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 bioenergy, as well as the communication of the cell with its environment. This theoretical framework will be placed in context with the different experimental techniques in cell and molecular biology, and with the current state of research in Biology and Biomedicine.
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
- CN02 - Associate the assessments and implantable materials with the variability in the expression of diseases and biological differences between sexes.
- CN05 - Recognise the anatomy and physiology applied to the structures involved in bioengineering.
- HB15 - Identify how bioengineering issues affect the specific needs or characteristics of men and women, in biological, social and cultural aspects, respecting the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights as well as the values of a culture of peace and democratic values that include the promotion of inclusive, non-discriminatory and stereotyped language.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Classify the fundamentals and principles for the study of anatomy and physiology, including their basic and specific terminology.
• Describe the structure and function of human organs and body systems.
• Associate appropriate professional attitudes for future practice.
• Integrate the scientific method, promoting reasoning and problem discussion.
• Recognize primary sources of information.
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. Some works or exercises will be carried out in class and delivered at the end of that session. The lack of attendance that day could result in a lack of delivery of the work and thus a zero grade in that session.
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 "Rescue" exam will subtitute the Final exam. The grades of the midterm exam and the homeworks are maintained.
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.
10. Plagiarism, copying or any other form of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the corresponding component. If academic dishonesty is detected during an exam, it will result in the immediate failure of the course, with no chance of resitting.
11. The use of artificial intelligence tools for the completion of assessment activities is strictly prohibited, except where their use is expressly authorized by the lecturer as part of the activity.
12. The use or possession of electronic devices (mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds, etc.) during exams is strictly prohibited. Mere possession, even if the device is turned off, will be considered an attempt to cheat. If this occurs during the first call, it will result in the automatic failure of the exam, and the student will be required to attend the second call. If it occurs during the second call, it will result in the definitive failure of the course, and the student must re-enrol in the next academic year.
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 22/05/2026 A08 10:00h