MBI-3004 The biology of cancer - 10 stp

The course can be taken as a singular course by students with a Bachelor´s degree in Biomedicine or similar (180 ECTS).

Recommended prerequisites: Basic knowledge at University Bachelor level in cell and molecular biology and genetics.

Application code (nordic applicants): 9371

The minimum average grade requirement is:

• C - for bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand
• B - for bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in all other countries

After the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge:

• List the major cancer types with regard to cellular origin.
• Descibe typical histological features and explain the nomenclature of benign and malignant tumours.
• Recite evidence indicating that tumours arise from normal tissues in a multistep process.
• Explain how mutations arise and recite evidence indicating that cancer is caused by mutations.
• Describe which cellular processes go awry in the (multistep) process of cancer development, including genetic and epigenetic changes.
• Describe and give concrete examples of how the cell cycle is regulated by growth factors, receptors, cell cycle regulators, oncogenes and tumour suppressors, and how this affects tumour growth.
• Describe how certain viruses contribute to the cause of cancer.
• Explain the role of pRB in the cell cycle.
• Explain how disruption of the cell cycle contributes to cancer.
• Explain the role of p53 in the regulation of DNA repair and apoptosis.
• Recite various DNA repair mechanisms and explain how defects in DNA repair relate to cancer.
• Describe cellular senescence and the underlying mechanisms.
• Describe the role of telomeres and telomerases in normal cells and how these roles are altered in tumour cells.
• Explain and discuss the cancer stem cell theory.
• Describe the principles of angiogenesis and stroma formation and explain why it is critical for survival of the cancer cells.
• Describe the role of the tumour microenvironment and the inflammatory process for the progression of cancer.
• Describe the necessary steps in the metastatic process.
• List different therapeutic approaches targeting angiogenesis and metastatic process.
• Explain the role of the immune system in cancer biology.
• Explain how the immune system may be exploited to make tumour cells more susceptible to immunologic attack.
• Describe conventional cancer therapy and discuss the tumour microenvironment, immune system/inflammatory process, cell cycle regulation, oncogenes and tumour suppressors as potential therapeutic targets.

Skills:

• Search, acquire and critically assess advanced knowledge in a specific field of cancer biology.
• Employ current concepts, ideas and expressions through oral presentations.

General proficiency:

• Implement and critical evaluate general information gained in the field of cancer biology.
• Discuss different therapeutic approaches based in a general knowledge of cancer biology.
• Communicate knowledge in cancer biology.