CHOICE 1

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

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.

Cellular Adhesion & Signaling: Adhesive structures cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix, their molecular organization and dynamics. Functions and regulations during development and pathogenesis. Regulation by signaling pathways. Mechanotransduction.

3. addressing and cell trafficking: Ubiquitination and proteasome. Addressing to subcellular compartments, endocytosis and secretion pathways. Molecular basis of vesicular transport, budding, fusion, molecular motors. Signaling in membrane trafficking, genetic diseases related to trafficking and detour by pathogens.

4.cell cycle:Historical introduction. Molecular regulation of the cell cycle. Mitotic spindle, microtubule dynamics and molecular motors, chromosome attachment mechanisms, checkpoints, regulation of mitosis exit and cytokinesis. Mitotic disorders associated with cancer cells.

5. stem cells: cell differentiation, toti-, pluri- 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 the maintenance of homeostasis. Pathophysiological 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.

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, toti-, pluri-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

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The main communication pathways between normal cells and intracellular transduction pathways, encountered in physiological and neurophysiological mechanisms, will be discussed, such as G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), their structure, function and modulation by interacting proteins involved in the desensitization phenomenon. The main intracellular pathways activated by GPCRs will be discussed (MAPkinase, PI3kinase, etc...).

Secondly, an important part of the course will focus on calcium signaling and Ca2+ homeostasis; Ca2+ being a ubiquitous signal in cell signaling. Calcium homeostasis will be studied in particular during the response of lymphocytes after antigenic stimulation. Moreover, the production of oxygenated free radicals, at the origin of oxidative stress, is dependent on intracellular Ca2+. The physiological role of free radicals will be discussed, as well as their involvement in oxidative stress. In this context, the pathways of protection against oxidative stress will also be studied.The following chapter will address the endocannabinoid system which allows to recapitulate all the themes that will be evoked previously in the course. The endocannabinoid system is at the origin of multiple central and peripheral regulations.

Finally, two other themes will be addressed: the blood-brain barrier which allows to evoke the cellular communication in a very integrated way between two environments and the -pancreatic cell whose activity is crucial for the regulation of glycemia by the secretion of insulin.

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