Cell Biology

The program offers a refresher course and an in-depth study of the major concepts and methodologies of cell biology, organized around various themes:

1. Cytoskeleton: Introduction to the different types of cytoskeletons. Polymerization properties of actin and tubulin. Proteins associated with the cytoskeleton that regulate polymerization. Molecular motors. Principles of cell migration.

2. Cell Adhesion & Signaling: Cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesive structures, their molecular organization and dynamics. Functions and regulation during development and pathogenesis. Regulation by signaling pathways. Mechanotransduction.

3. Cellular trafficking and targeting: Ubiquitination and the proteasome. Targeting to subcellular compartments; endocytosis and secretion pathways. The molecular basis of vesicular transport: budding, fusion, and molecular motors. Signaling in membrane trafficking; genetic diseases associated with trafficking; and hijacking by pathogens.

4. Cell Cycle: Historical Overview. Molecular Regulation of the Cell Cycle. The mitotic spindle, microtubule dynamics and molecular motors, mechanisms of chromosome attachment, checkpoints, regulation of mitotic exit, and cytokinesis. Mitotic abnormalities associated with cancer cells.

5. Stem Cells: Cell Differentiation, Totipotency, Pluripotency, and Multipotency; Embryonic, Adult, and Cancer Stem Cells.

6. Programmed cell death: Apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis. Stages and mechanisms of apoptosis; signaling pathways involved. Role in maintaining homeostasis. Pathophysiological consequences of dysregulation of programmed cell death.

Various research models are presented to highlight the importance of biological diversity in the discovery of cellular and molecular mechanisms, as well as in the understanding of human diseases.

The program offers a review of key concepts and an in-depth study of the major concepts and methodologies of cell biology, organized around different themes:

1. Cytoskeleton: Introduction to the different types of cytoskeleton. Polymerization properties of actin and tubulin. Proteins associated with the cytoskeleton and involved in regulating polymerization. Molecular motors. Principles of cell migration.

2. Cellular Adhesion & Signaling: Cell-cell and extracellular cell-matrix adhesive structures, their molecular and dynamic organization. Functions and regulation during development and pathogenesis. Regulation by signaling pathways. Mechanotransduction.

3. Addressing and cell traffic: Ubiquitination and the proteasome. Transport to subcellular compartments, endocytosis, and secretion pathways. The molecular basis of vesicular transport, budding, fusion, and molecular motors. Signaling in membrane trafficking, genetic diseases linked to trafficking, and disruption by pathogens.

4. Cell cycle: Historical introduction. Molecular regulation of the cell cycle. The mitotic spindle, microtubule and molecular motor dynamics, chromosome attachment mechanisms, checkpoints, regulation of mitotic output and cytokinesis. Mitotic disorders associated with cancer cells.

5. Stem cells: cell differentiation, totipotency, pluripotency, and multipotency; embryonic, adult, and cancer stem cells.

6. Programmed cell death: Apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis. Stages and mechanisms of apoptosis; signaling pathways involved. Role in maintaining homeostasis. Pathophysiological consequences of dysregulation of programmed cell death.

Various study models are presented to highlight the importance of biological diversity in the discovery of cellular and molecular mechanisms, as well as in the understanding of human diseases.

-Have acquired a solid foundation in cellular and molecular biology through a bachelor's degree or equivalent, covering all the topics mentioned in the program description.

-Be familiar with standard techniques used in cell and molecular biology (Western blot, Northern blot, qPCR, immunoprecipitation, pull-down, fluorescence and electron microscopy, use of plasmid constructs, siRNA, CRISPR-Cas9, immunofluorescence, use of dominant-negative, constitutively active, and truncated mutants, etc.). Be able to propose an appropriate approach to address a question in the field of cell biology.

-Have acquired a solid foundation in cellular and molecular biology through a bachelor's degree or equivalent, covering all the topics mentioned in the description.

-Familiarity with the classic techniques used in cellular and molecular biology (Western blot, Northern blot, qPCR, immunoprecipitation, pull-down, fluorescence and electron microscopy, plasmid construction, siRNA, CRISPR-Cas9, immunofluorescence, and the use of dominant-negative, constitutively active, and truncated mutants, etc.). Be able to propose an appropriate approach to address a question in the field of cell biology

Written: 2 hours - 70% (2 sessions)

CC: 2 written assignments - 30% (1 session)

Understand the molecular concepts that regulate major cellular processes related to dynamic cell morphology, cell adhesion, cell division, etc.

-Understand the link between the development of certain diseases and the dysregulation of these molecular mechanisms.

-Be able to critically and concisely analyze figures in scientific articles written in English

Master the molecular concepts that regulate the major cellular processes related to the dynamic morphology of the cell, cell adhesion, cell division, etc..

-Understand how to establish a link between the development of certain diseases and the dysregulation of these molecular mechanisms.

-To be able to analyze the data in scientific articles written in English in a critical and comprehensive manner.