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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.

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The EU will first address the main communication pathways between normal cells and intracellular transduction pathways encountered in physiological and neurophysiological mechanisms. Thus, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) will be studied, namely their structure, function, and modulation by interaction proteins involved in particular in the phenomenon of desensitization. The main intracellular pathways activated by membrane GCRs will be addressed (MAP kinase pathways, PI3 kinase, etc.).

Next, a significant portion of the course will focus on calcium signaling and Ca2+ homeostasis, Ca2+ being a ubiquitous signal in cellular signaling. Calcium homeostasis will be studied in particular during the response of lymphocytes after antigen stimulation. Furthermore, the production of oxygen free radicals, which cause 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 will allow us to recap all the topics previously discussed in the course. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for multiple central and peripheral regulations.

Finally, two other topics will be addressed: the blood-brain barrier, which allows for highly integrated cellular communication between two environments, and the pancreatic β-cell, whose activity is crucial for regulating blood sugar levels through insulin secretion.

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