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CELB30130

Academic Year 2024/2025

Cell Biology of Disease (CELB30130)

Subject:
Cell Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Rory Johnson
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Deciphering the molecular basis of disease is fundamental to further our understanding of many areas of life science research, as well as devising effective therapies. 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 complemented by a series of laboratory classes that will expose students to key aspects of how molecular cell biology approaches are 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 diagnose a disease and guide treatment. 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.

About this Module

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 cystic fibrosis as a paradigm disease
Lecture 2 - Osteogenesis imperfecta - Cranio-lenticulo-sutural dysplasia 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 gastrointestinal tract
Lecture 11 - Hereditary spastic paraplegias
Lecture 12 - Alzheimer's disease

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Lectures

12
Laboratories

18
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is based around a series of practical classes that will complement 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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Written exam covering lecture material. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No
Report(s): Report of laboratory practicals in the structure of a scientific publication. Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
50
 No

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
Dr Gary Brennan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cristina Casalou Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ciara Graham Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rory Johnson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Simone Marcone Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rainer Melzer 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
Dr Carlotta Sacchi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Jeremy Simpson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gavin Stewart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Wed 11:00 - 12:50
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