General provisions

1.5 credits (hp) correspond to 1 credit point (p) according to earlier study regulation.

Entry requirements

For students in the pharmacy programme, it is required that the student should have at least 100 credit points150 credits of which 40 credit points/60 credits within pharmaceutical bioscience of which 6 credit points/9 credits in pharmaceutical biochemistry and 5 credit points/7.5 credits in molecular genetics and going through earlier courses within the programme. For admission to freestanding course, 150 credits are required/100 credit points of which 60 credits/40 credit points within pharmaceutical bioscience of which at least 9 credits/6 credit points in biochemistry and 7.5 credits/5 credit points in molecular genetics or the equivalent knowledge that have been acquired within medical, scientific, dental, pharmaceutical or veterinary science education. Proficiency in Swedish and English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

Cancer is a genetic disease that is caused by a number mutations of two blows; activating and inaktiverande. Most often is it question about somatic mutations in cancer cells but hereditary cancer occur. Genetic mechanisms at tumour development lead often to changed production of protein or new function. The course intends to light up the underlying cell biology-related mechanisms that govern genetic stability and variation and regulation of gene expression in normal tissue and tumours. Further, cell communication and specific examples of different tumours are clarified. The student should be able to account on completion of the course for: The cell cycle, regulation via cyklinberoende kinaser, factors that are essential for how and when cell division takes place how mitosis and replication are regulated, coordinated and cellular signal systems biological development mechanisms, cell death. The organisation and control of the uttryck;transkriptionens depending on chromatin structure of the genome and transcription factors, modification of RNA molecules, proteins and proteins conducting to different sections in the cell. DNA-damages and their importance for tumour development. Repair mechanisms. Tumörsuppression via repair and apoptosis, links via p53 between DNA-damages and apoptosis. Definition of neoplastiskt transformed cell, benign and malignant neoplasia. Tumour classification, morphological and other description of tumours, examples of tumour types. Definition of the concept of oncogene; Transformation of a protoonkogen to an oncogene. Define what is meant with a signal transduction chain autokrin, exocrine stimulation, growth factors or receptors, activated receptor tyrosine kinase, signal transduction molecules, transcription factors, different response of stimulated signal transduction e g mitosis, the ruffling, mobility. The importance of inhibitors. Effects on cells of different factors and macromolecules in extracellular matrix with an emphasis on the signalling of PDGF:s and TGF:s as model for other growth factors. The importance of Breed - and similar G-proteins. Effects of the cells social environment with an emphasis on integrin, CD44 and the other HS (HeparanSulfat) the receptors of the celldhesions as model for other adhesion receptors. Contact inhibition and the importance of matrix components. The stroma of tumours. Microcirculation angiogenesis and its depending on the growth factors VEGF and FGF. The importance for efficiency of radiotherapy and chemotherapy of the apoptosis. Resistance at tumour cells against apoptotiska signals. Which properties that are activated at metastasizing. How knowledge of mechanisms behind cancer can be used to create new treatment e g through the åteskapande of suppressor, antiangiogen treatment, block oncogene mediated signal transduction. The role in normal cell differentiation and tumour development of stem cells and their usage at genetic modification and treatment.

Content

The course utilises current research problems to illustrate different cell biology-related basis phenomena and its applications within the tumour biology. Fields that are treated are inter alia: transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation; signal transduction; genetic polymorphism as results of DNA-damages. Furthermore, type examples of different tumours are treated. The course also gives insight in current research activity and methodology within the tumour biology.

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures and seminars in English. Compulsory parts of the course: Attendance at 75% of the lectures and attendance at the beginning of the course and seminars.

Assessment

Written examination is arranged at the end of the course. For a Pass grade in the course, passed compulsory parts and passed written examination are required. Students who have failed the first examination are allowed five re-examinations.