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NEUR40080

Academic Year 2024/2025

Molecular and Cellular Biology of Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies (NEUR40080)

Subject:
Neuroscience
College:
Science
School:
Biomolecular & Biomed Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Niamh O'Sullivan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Proteinopathies are diseases caused by malformed proteins. Many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, motor neuron disease and Prion disease are proteinopathies that are associated with the aggregation and/or accumulation of one or more malformed proteins. This lecture course will outline recent advances in our understanding of the molecular pathways underpinning these proteinopathies and how results from these studies are driving the development of disease-modifying therapies. Students will be expected to be familiar with recent publications in the field of neurodegenerative proteinopathies for final exam.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of proteinopathy in neurodegenerative diseases.
2. Discuss in depth the role of protein aggregation and failed protein clearance in neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
3. Critically evaluate recent research findings into the molecula, genetic and cellular disruptions which underpin these disorders.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the developments in novel therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative proteinopathies.

Indicative Module Content:

Lecture 1: Prion neuroproteinopathies (NO’S)
Lectures 2+3: Alzheimer's disease (GB)
Lecture 4: Developing therapies for neurodegenerative proteinopathies I (NO'S)
Lectures 5+6: Parkinson's disease (GB)
Lectures 7+8 – Huntington protein (NO'S)
Lectures 9+10 – Motor neuron disease (NO'S)
Lecture 11 – Developing therapies for neurodegenerative proteinopathies II (NO'S)
Lecture 12: Tutorial on assessment strategy (NO’S+GB)

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Autonomous Student Learning

88
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In this module we will discuss the most up-do-date developments in our understanding of neurodegenerative disease and how this is feeding into developing novel therapeutic strategies. It will be taught largely by lectures (face-to-face) and student reading of suggested literature. There is a tutorial session at which students will be encouraged to discuss how they can best approach critically analysing published research and expressing the ideas and discoveries that they have learned about into a structured essay.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

A basic understanding of biochemistry and cell biology is recommended.


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 (Online): End of trimester exam in which you will be provided with results from recent research papers covered in the classes which you will be required to describe and critically interpret. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No

100

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Within the tutorial class you will work in groups on sample questions which you will receive feedback on.

Name Role
Dr Gary Brennan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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