Cell biology

The program offers refresher courses 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 regulating 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 addressing and trafficking: Ubiquitination and proteasome. Addressing to subcellular compartments, endocytosis and secretion pathways. The molecular basis of vesicular transport, budding, fusion, molecular motors. Signaling in membrane trafficking, genetic diseases related to trafficking, and hijacking by pathogens.

4. Cell cycle: Historical introduction. Molecular regulation of the cell cycle. The mitotic spindle, dynamics of microtubules and molecular motors, chromosome attachment mechanisms, checkpoints, regulation of mitosis exit and cytokinesis. Mitotic dysregulation 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. Physiopathological consequences of programmed cell death dysregulation.

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

The program offers a refresher of knowledge 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 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 regulations during development and pathogenesis. Regulation by signaling channels. Mechanotransduction.

3. Addressing and cell traffic: Ubiquitination and proteasome. Addressing to subcellular compartments, endocytosis and secretion pathways. The molecular bases of vesicular transport, budding, fusion, molecular motors. Signaling in membrane trafficking, genetic diseases linked to trafficking and diversion 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 mitosis 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 modalities of apoptosis, signaling pathways involved. Role in maintaining homeostasis. Physiopathological consequences of deregulation of programmed cell death.

Different study models are presented, in order to introduce the importance of the contribution of biological diversity in the discovery of cellular and molecular mechanisms, as well as in the understanding of human pathologies.

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

-Be familiar with standard techniques used in cellular 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, truncated mutants, etc.). Be able to propose the use of an appropriate approach to answer a question in the field of cell biology.

-Have acquired a good basic knowledge in cellular and molecular biology in a bachelor's degree or equivalent on all the themes mentioned in the description.

-Being familiar with the classic techniques used in cellular and molecular biology (western blot, northern blot, qPCR, immunoprecipitation, pull down, fluorescence and electron microscopy, use of plasmid construction, siRNA, CRISPR Cas9, immunofluorescence, use of dominant negative mutants, constitutively active, truncated, etc.). To be able to propose the use of an adapted approach to answer a question in the field of cell biology.

Written: 2 hours - 70% (2 sessions)

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

Mastering the molecular concepts regulating major cellular processes related to dynamic cell morphology, cell adhesion, cell division, etc.

-Knowing how to make the connection between the development of certain diseases and the deregulation of these molecular mechanisms.

-Be able to critically analyze and summarize figures from scientific articles in English

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

-Know how to make the link between the development of certain pathologies and the deregulation of these molecular mechanisms.

-To be able to critically and concisely analyze the figures in scientific articles in English.