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CELB40180

Academic Year 2024/2025

Cell Biology & Genetics of Ageing (CELB40180)

Subject:
Cell Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Joanna Kacprzyk
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Globally, the number of persons aged 80 or over is projected to triple by 2050, and to further increase to 909 million by 2100, nearly seven times its current value. Understanding the biology of ageing, ability to manage it and to eliminate the individual age-related diseases is therefore crucial to improve the quality of life of ageing population. The module provides an introduction to theories of ageing and reviews the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the ageing process. Pharmacological and genetic approaches used to identify, study and manipulate pathways contributing to cellular ageing will be discussed using the cutting-edge research in the field. Strategies for comparative ageing research and studies in non-model long-lived organisms, like naked mole rat and bats, will be explored. This course will also highlight the prospective lifespan-extending interventions in humans.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will have a comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms and genetic pathways controlling the cellular ageing, as well as research approaches to study and manipulate this process. They will be equipped to critically assess the research in the field and to formulate and express their own opinion on the subject. They will have discussed the ongoing genetic research on ageing within the school.

Indicative Module Content:

- Intro, Relevance of Ageing Research and Life-extending strategies
- Plasticity of Ageing
- Theories of Ageing (Programmed and Damage-Based), including DevAge, free radical, mitochondrial, DNA damage/telomeric, stem cell/senescence, protein damage/autophagy, immuageing.
- GWAS on ageing
- Hot topics in ageing research

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

113
Lectures

12
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
lectures and in-lecture debates, discussion of current research case studies, reading of recommended literature, group work

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): The exam format combining data interpretation and short essay answer. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
80
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Science communication exercise relevant to the discipline of ageing research. Week 4 Graded No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For assessment: Students will receive individual feedback along with their grade via Brightspace. For final exam: general class group feedback to students via Brightspace, individual feedback to students where requested via meetings/email etc.

Name Role
Professor Emma Teeling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paola Valentini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
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