Advanced Course in Cellular and Molecular Biology

This course unit aims to provide a deeper understanding, in small groups through tutorial and lab sessions, of the fundamental molecular and cellular processes covered in the BMC2 and BMC3 courses by approaching them through more concrete concepts. Instruction will be based on real-world data (experimental results, scientific articles) to clearly explain key scientific approaches and teach students how to analyze and interpret results (Example 1: demonstrating an in vivo interaction through the expression of labeled proteins in cell lines, followed by immunoprecipitation and Western blot). Example 2: the principle of immunofluorescence; intracellular distribution of an antigen. Example 3: in vitro transcription and translation, and the study of interactions via GST pull-down). The lab sessions will illustrate some of these basic approaches: cell culture, construction of expression vectors, transfection, immunolabeling, and fluorescence microscopy.   

- Knowledge:

- knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of cell biology and molecular biology

- understand the principles of the basic techniques used in cell biology and molecular biology

- Expertise:

- know how to analyze a figure in a scientific article.

- Know how to analyze and interpret the findings of a short/simple scientific article and be able to summarize them briefly (Level 1 of article analysis).

- know how to maintain a cell line in culture

- know how to perform plasmid transfection in a cell line.

- know how to perform immunocytochemical/fluorescent staining.

- understand the basics of using an upright epifluorescence microscope.

- Interpersonal skills:

- work independently and in groups

- Write a lab report in accordance with the formatting guidelines and within the allotted time

- Follow the health and safety rules for a laboratory and the good laboratory practices related to the culture of cell lines

- This course provides an in-depth exploration of the fundamental concepts and techniques of cell biology and molecular biology and is essential for students pursuing the L3 Molecular and Cell Biology track.

-This course, which focuses on in-depth conceptual and technical knowledge, may be of particular interest to students in the L3 Biochemistry and Microbiology programs.

- From molecules to cells (S1).

- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell (S2).

- Cellular and Molecular Biology (S3).

- Cell Biology and Molecular Biology (S4)