CELB30130 Cell Biology of Disease

Academic Year 2022/2023

Deciphering the molecular basis of disease is fundamental to further our understanding of many areas of life science research, as well as devising appropriate strategies to combat disease. Of crucial importance is how genetic changes, which potentially lead to changes in the encoded protein, then manifest at the cellular and ultimately organism level. This module will provide perspective about how a number of both common and rare diseases arise, and will explore the associated changes that are seen at the cellular and tissue level. The module will use a number of specific examples of diseases that arise from single point mutations (for example skeletal deformities such as Smith-McCort dysplasia), as well as complex disease that arise from wider sets of gene alterations (for example various cancer types). The lectures will be complimented with a series of laboratory classes that will expose students to key aspects of how molecular cell biology approaches are being used to understand and combat various diseases. Students will gain experience with advanced disease models, three-dimensional spheroids, and their characterisation by microscopy, as well as how they can be used to assess the efficacy of bioactive compounds. In addition, the laboratory classes will teach students how molecular biology methods can be used to understand gene and cell function. Overall this module will provide students with a unique perspective of how genetics, molecular cell biology and organism biology are interlinked, towards the goal of understanding and combatting disease.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will have a sound understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for a number of important diseases. They will appreciate how specific gene mutations can result in changes to not only cells, but the tissues, organs and wider structures that make up an organism. Students will understand how complex diseases, such as cancer, can arise from multiple sources, and how the discipline of molecular cell biology is fundamental to developing strategies for therapeutic intervention. Students will also have an appreciation of how disease can be studied in the lab using in vitro three-dimensional cell-based models. Finally, students will gain an appreciation of how disease incidence is influenced by external factors including socio-economic status, geography and ethnicity. Completion of this module will also result in the students gaining enhanced laboratory skills.

Indicative Module Content:

Lecture 1 - Introduction to the module, including basic cell biology and CF as a paradigm disease
Lecture 2 - Osteogenesis imperfecta - CLSD and Cole-Carpenter syndrome
Lecture 3 - Lysosomal storage diseases - Cystinosis, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
Lecture 4 - Diseases of the Golgi apparatus - Smith McCort dysplasia
Lecture 5 - Multiple sclerosis
Lecture 6 - Viral diseases - Covid-19 case study
Lecture 7 - Cancer
Lecture 8 - Cancer
Lecture 9 - Bladder cancer
Lecture 10 - Diseases of the GI tract
Lecture 11 - Hereditary spastic paraplegias
Lecture 12 - Plant-based drugs to tackle human diseases

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Laboratories

18
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is based around a series of practical classes that will compliment the lectures, demonstrating how modern cell biology methods, when applied in the lab, can be used to understand disease. Students will be encouraged to discuss the methodologies with the academic staff and postgraduate demonstrators leading the labs in order to gain greater insight into their use. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Short answer exam paper. 1 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50
Lab Report: Report detailing the experiments carried out in the lab classes. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual feedback on their lab reports, as this component is designed to link the lab activity and the lecture material.

Name Role
Ms Ciara Graham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rory Johnson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Niamh O'Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Antoinette Perry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Jeremy Simpson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gavin Stewart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer