BI3BT78: Cancer and Cell Communication

Module code: BI3BT78

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Mike Fry, email: m.j.fry@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Phillip Dash, email: p.r.dash@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE BI1BEC1 AND TAKE BI2BC45 (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module students will explore the complex interplay between cellular signalling and the development of cancer. Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people around the world, and it is characterised by uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells. While cancer can arise from a variety of genetic and environmental factors, one common feature of all cancers is the disruption of normal cellular signalling pathways. 

Communication between cells is essential for maintaining proper tissue function, coordinating cellular responses to stimuli, and ensuring proper cell division and differentiation. In healthy cells, communication occurs through complex networks that involve a variety of signalling molecules and receptors. Perhaps, surprisingly much of our knowledge of normal cell signalling has come from the study of diseases such as cancer and in this module, we will explore the various ways in which studies of the disease both in the lab and using computer modelling have provided us with a much deeper understanding of the role of receptors and signal transduction in the function of cells. You will explore how cancer cells disrupt normal cell communication pathways, including alterations in receptor expression and mutations in signalling molecules and discuss the potential for targeted therapies that exploit these signalling pathways. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and discuss the function of the main classes of receptors and signalling molecules and the methods used to study these and be able to use this information to critically analyse and deduce signalling pathways based on experimental data
2. Describe and discuss the cellular and molecular events in tumour growth, progression and metastasis and be able to give a mechanistic account of the action of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in cancer
3. Identify the contribution made to an understanding of cancer by epidemiological, genetic, molecular cell biological, animal model and clinical data and examine their relative importance
4. Discuss how an understanding of the biology of cancer can be used to improve screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer
5. Critically evaluate and integrate experimental data and the published literature on specific named cancers and signalling pathways

Module content

Placed in the context of normal signalling and compared to what goes wrong in many diseases, including cancer, this module covers the current state of knowledge concerning the epidemiology, genetics, cell biology and molecular mechanisms in the development of cancer and examines how an understanding of the biology can be used to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This will be linked to our knowledge of the signalling pathways that are involved and which are altered in cancer through activation of oncogenes and inhibition or loss of tumour suppressors.
 
Lecture material will include the following topics:

• An overview of current knowledge and understanding of receptors and their role in the actions of hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors and other molecular messengers; nuclear receptors, G protein-coupled receptors, G-proteins and associated signalling proteins (adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C), tyrosine kinase-linked receptors, kinases and phosphatases, MAP kinase signalling and lipid signalling (PI 3-kinase)
• Stages in the development of cancer from a cell biological and clinical perspective; genetic susceptibility and risk factors identified by epidemiology; mechanisms by which radiation, chemicals and viruses can cause carcinogenesis; the role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes; mechanisms of metastasis; tumour immunology; application of cancer biology in discovering novel therapeutic targets including signal transduction pathways, the cell cycle, angiogenesis and endocrine therapy; strategies which could be used to reduce/prevent cancer
• In seminars and tutorials there will be data handling problems; analysis of signalling pathways; discussion of the relevant literature, concentrating particularly on the experimental methods used in signal transduction research; problem-based course review involving a class project modelling of a signalling pathway

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, data handling and problem classes, group discussions on relevant literature and student led cancer and signalling pathway modelling projects, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.

Study hours

At least 60 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will be asked to submit a draft of the signalling protein presentation which will be used in the class where we discuss how all the parts fit together – students that submit a draft will get feedback in the class that they can use to improve their final submission.

Two short online MCQ tests on some of the cancer and signalling papers discussed so that students can gauge how well they understood them.

Reassessment

Additional costs