S1 elective courses

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The aim of the "Cellular Physiopathology and Cancer" course is to provide students with the knowledge they need to follow the "Cancer Biology" pathway in M2. The course is organized in the form of a lecture, with an introductory section followed by a section on current laboratory research. Students are required to present a scientific article orally (usually in pairs).

The aim of the cellular pathophysiology and cancer teaching unit is to provide the scientific background necessary to follow the cancer biology M2 program.Each lecture is organized as a conference starting with a general introduction of the field and followed by a more specialized emphasis on research done in laboratories. Students have to prepare an oral presentation based on the analysis of a scientific article (generally in pair).

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-A general introduction to Developmental Biology

How do cells build a multicellular animal organism from a single genome? Genotype/phenotype relationship.

-Genetic analysis reminders

Nature of mutations (loss-of-function; gain-of-function), notion of "master gene", clonal analysis (generation of somatic or germinal clones), notion of cell autonomy....

-Genetic models and methods.

Study of regulatory regions, establishment of transgenic lines, enhancer trap, reporter genes (GFP, mCherry...), model organisms (drosophila, c.elegans, mouse...).Use of FLP/FRT, CRE-LOX, UAS-GAL4-GAL80, AttpP/B-PhiC31, CRISPR systems etc.

-Positional information, maternal effect genes and the establishment of asymmetry.

Models and mechanisms of positional information =induction, Spemann and Mangold experiment, organizing centers, notion of morphogen in invertebrates and vertebrates

-Establishment of axes: antero-posterior, dorso-ventral.

Cell communication and signalling pathways: in the establishment of the dorso-ventral axis, in limb formation, in the establishment of cell fate (some examples: Nervous system: lateral inhibition processes ...).

-Segmentation: gap, pair rule and segment polarity genes.

Segmentation in invertebrates and somitogenesis in vertebrates, dynamic aspects (establishment and maintenance).

-Signaling and transcriptional networks

Transcriptional regulation during development, regulatory sequences during evolution, the concept of gene networks. Transcriptional coupling and signaling pathways in cell fate

-Epigenetic memory of transcriptional programs:

Hox homeotic genes and segmental identity.Evo-Devo concepts.Polycomb and Trithorax complexes.

Involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in cell differentiation

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Behaviors, whether determined by conscious or unconscious processes, are based on complex neurobiological underpinnings: they are underpinned by molecular and cellular modifications within the nervous system, modulating neural networks at the origin of motor and emotional processes that are linked to the individual's memory. These processes are fundamental in enabling the organism to develop an integrated behavioral response in close interaction with its environment, ensuring adaptation and survival for the individual and its species.

The topics covered in the Neurobiology of Behavior course are as follows:

-Gene-behavior

The relationship between genotype and phenotype -Impact of the environment -Attentional processes/Movement planning -Behavioral disorders (genetic and environmental aspects)

-Memory and synaptic plasticity

Methodological approaches to studying synaptic plasticity: electrophysiology, optogenetics, animal models, behavioral tests-Factors regulating synaptic plasticity, including genetics and epigenetics-Plasticity/memory relationship-Neurobiology of memory, forgetting and reconsolidation

-Neurobiology of emotions

Neurobiological substrates of emotions -Emotional functions -Disadaptation: Pathological aspects: Emotional disorders

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The Neuropsychopharmacology UE covers the molecular, cellular and integrated mechanisms underlying the mode of action of psychotropic drugs, using a number of pathologies as examples (depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, ....). The aim is to understand how the principles of pharmacology are specifically applied to mental disorders (e.g. pharmacodynamics, tolerance, physical and psychological dependence, etc.). Based on advances in neurobiological research and their application to drug therapy, the course aims to understand the concepts underlying the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

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This UE consists mainly of theoretical courses dealing with the molecular aspects of infectious diseases (bacteriology, virology, parasitology).

Bacteriology: The nature of infectious agents. Methods for studying pathogenesis (in vivo, in vitro, in silico and post-genomic study technologies) Strategies of pathogenic bacteria to survive in organisms: Bacterial adhesion to eukaryotic cells, antigenic variation and phase variation, invasion of non-phagocytic eukaryotic cells, mechanisms of resistance to phagocytosis, mechanisms of bacterial survival in phagocytic cells, membrane permeability management, bacterial secretion systems (types I, II, III, IV, V and VI), iron acquisition mechanisms, bacterial exotoxins, bacterial biofilms, examples of environmental regulation (thermoregulation, quorum sensing, etc.).).

Parasitology: Organization and cellular physiology of major pathogens in unicellular eukaryotic parasites (invasion and modification of the host cell; metabolic particularities and therapeutic targets); Genetics and molecular biology (genome organization, antigenic variation); Physiopathology and escape from the immune response.

Virology: Molecular mechanisms of the viral cycle; Expression of viral genomes; Transformation by viruses; Viral replication strategy; Plasticity of viral genomes; Structural importance of viruses in host interaction; 

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1) What is the genetic program underlying the development of the nervous system? This course highlights the type of decisions that gradually determine the neural destiny of cells and ensure their nervous function. The different stages considered are:

(i)the genesis of the nervous system

(ii)neuron specification

(iii)nerve function: axonal guidance and connectivity

(iv)neuronal remodeling

2) What molecular, cellular and environmental interactions control the development of the nervous system?

-Synaptogenesis and the major stages of development.

-The role of neurotrophic factors

-The role of electrical activity

-Critical periods

-The role of neuron-glial cell interactions.

-Neural stem cells

3) Developmental pathologies

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Teaching is done by teachers and/or researchers at the Faculties of Medicine, Sciences or Pharmacy, or at local research institutes.Course contents will be adapted to current scientific advances.

Teaching is organized in topics (lectures/tutorials, 4 to 5:30 hrs each);each includes an introduction and a seminar. In addition, for each topic, a group of students is in charge of presenting one or two recent scientific research articles.

Examples of subjects treated:

Immune adaptive responses, vaccination

Immune tolerance

Aging of the immune system

Metabolic regulation of the immune response

Immune response regulation by microbiota

Immune system-central nervous system interactions

Immunotherapy, therapeutic antibodies

The Unit is complemented by practical work by groups on a mini-research project that includes design of experiments, realization and analysis. Training is available in the use of flow cytometry data analysis software.Results are presented orally to the entire class.

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Neuromuscular physiology:

Striated skeletal muscle: The neuromuscular junction; Muscle contraction/release; Myotypology; Plasticity; Muscle metabolism.

Neuromuscular diseases:Causes; symptoms; clinical diagnosis (clinical examinations; laboratory tests): EMG, blood assays, functional tests, etc.; muscular dystrophies: Duchenne myopathy; Becker myopathy; facioscapiohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).FSHD facioscapiohumeral muscular dystrophy: zebrafish model; mouse model; cell models; clinical trials.

Respiratory physiology:

Respiratory physiology: Anatomy of the respiratory system; mechanism of respiration; gas exchange; transport of respiratory gases by the blood; regulation of respiration.

Respiratory exploration in small animals: Why explore respiratory function in small animals? Plethysmography; in vitro contractile force.

Functional Respiratory Explorations: performance and interpretation of respiratory explorations in human pathology; spirometry: Level 1 and Level 2; pulmonary diffusion capacity; arterial blood gas; specific explorations of respiratory muscles; 6-minute walk test; stress test; explorations at altitude.

Cardiovascular physiology:

Anatomy of the heart: size, location and orientation; heart envelope; tunics of the heart wall; chambers and large vessels of the heart; blood flow in the heart; heart valves; blood supply to the heart: coronary circulation; properties of cardiac muscle tissue.

Reminder of cardiac physiology: regulation of basic rhythm; cardiac conduction system; modification of basic rhythm: extrinsic innervation of the heart; electrocardiography; mechanical phenomena: cardiac revolution; cardiac output; regulation of stroke volume; regulation of heart rate.

Vascular physiology: anatomy of the circulatory system; lymphatic system; vascular wall structure; blood pressure; vascular smooth muscle and vasomotricity; endothelial function.

Vascular function and dysfunction; functional exploration: Arterial Distensibility Measurement; arterial wave velocity measurement; pharmacological exploration of endothelium-dependent vasomotricity; ultrasonographic exploration; echo-tracking; ultrasound and echodoppler.

How to assess vascular function experimentally: Isolated artery ring model Cardiac Doppler ultrasound: a fabulous tool for clinical and experimental research; Ultrasound: anatomical and functional analysis"; Doppler: flow analysis; Application to animal models.

Translational research: example of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (myocardial infarction); animal models; isolated perfused heart (Langendorf); isolated cardiomyocytes; cardioprotective techniques.

Endocrinology: weight balance

Description of eating behavior; Energy balance; Central structures regulating food intake; Mechanisms regulating food intake; Factors modulating appetite and food intake; Nutritional assessment; Eating disorders; Functional exploration: impedancemetry; DEXA (X-ray photon absorption); MRI; Expenditure assessment: calorimetry.

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