Coherent Grouping 1 EU Scientists Semester 3

This required course in the third semester (S3) allows students to consolidate and expand upon the fundamentals of molecular biology and cell biology they acquired in their first year (L1).

Molecular Biology Section: The molecular and structural foundations of nucleic acids will be explored and examined in depth to understand the physicochemical properties of nucleic acids—which open up various avenues for technological applications—and the molecular mechanisms underlying the key processes in molecular biology, such as DNA replication, gene transcription into mRNA, and the translation of mRNA into proteins. These processes, illustrated by experimental evidence derived from various historical studies, will be studied in depth in prokaryotes. Comparisons with eukaryotes will also be discussed subsequently. The molecular mechanisms of DNA repair will also be described and explored.

Cell Biology Section: This section will cover the major concepts of membrane-bound and cytosolic protein complex formation, particularly in the context of cellular signaling pathways. The concepts of ligands, receptors, scaffolding proteins, signaling enzymes, intracellular second messengers, and response kinetics will be presented. Techniques in biochemistry and cell biology used to detect the presence and localization of proteins in cells and tissues will be discussed.

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This course covers the fundamentals of microbiology. It will explore the structures of microorganisms—both prokaryotes and eukaryotes—as well as viruses. It will provide an overview of the diversity of these microorganisms and describe their modes of reproduction.

For bacteria, the trophic types and factors influencing growth will be discussed, along with the study of growth in non-renewable media. Genetics and horizontal gene transfer among bacteria will be addressed.
Several eukaryotic microorganisms will be studied: their habitats, lifestyles, ecological roles or parasitism, as well as their modes of development.
In virology, the main viral replication cycles will be detailed, and modes of transmission and the concept of viral pathogenesis will be discussed. The principles of antiviral vaccination and antiviral treatments will be presented and illustrated using concrete examples. 
The principles of antiviral vaccination and antiviral treatments will be presented and illustrated using concrete examples.
Laboratory sessions will provide an introduction to sterile handling techniques for microorganisms, bacterial counting, and conjugation.

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This required course enables students to consolidate the fundamentals of biochemistry acquired in the first year of undergraduate studies by approaching the discipline through a cross-disciplinary study of enzymes involved in cellular metabolism, particularly glycolysis. Several areas of biochemistry will be covered: the fundamentals of Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics and a description of the metabolic reactions involved in glycolysis. Finally, the technical aspects will be addressed through the presentation and analysis of techniques used to measure enzyme activity and to purify, quantify, and detect proteins.

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This second course unit in general chemistry aims to consolidate and deepen students’ understanding of reactions in aqueous solution, particularly those involving the formation of metal complexes. The principles of thermodynamics will be introduced and applied to the study of chemical equilibria of biological interest. Rather than presenting the material using a mathematical framework that would require a much greater number of class hours, students will be asked to understand the physical meaning of these principles and the main thermodynamic functions, as well as their applications to chemical systems—often of biological interest. In particular, resting membrane potentials and the use of pH-potential diagrams in biology will be covered.

Students will work through course materials (written and audio) in advance of certain lectures and tutorials so that the in-person instruction during lectures and tutorials will enable them to actively participate in the program, understand the concepts presented, and acquire the necessary skills.

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