To give a wide and deep knowledge on the fuction of the eukaryotic cell and its compartments.

The course pretends that the student understands the new dynamic, molecular and three dimensional concept of the cell, becoming aware of the importance of cell biology for a profesional career. It is higly recommended to have previously taken the subjects Cell Biology and Tissue Biology.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES



- To know the structure, function and molecular composition of the eukaryotic cell; and acquire the capacity to integrate the three concepts in a unique and dynamic conceptual framework of the cell.

- To know the basic mechanism that regulate development in metazoans, from the processes of cell proliferation to those of cell senescence and death.

- Recognise that cell differentiation leads to cell specialization.

- Identify the laboratory techniques that allow the structural and molecular analysis of the eukaryotic cell.



TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCIES



- To evaluate, interprete and synthesize biological information and data.

- To properly communicate the essential biological knowledge for teaching and diffusion of this subject in all ascademic degrees.

- To improve in the oral and written communication of the mother tongue, and also in the knowledge of the english as scientific communication language.

- To improve the informatic knowledge in relation to the studies in order to allow a correct management of the data ansd results and an efficient treatment of the scientific sources.

- To properly communicate the knowledge of biology neccesary for the teaching of this subject in the education systmen.

- To safely manipulate chemical products and biological organisms and avoid environmental impacts derived from their use.

PROGRAM OF THEORETICAL LECTURES

1. INTRODUCTION. Evolution of the concept of cell. Present context of Cell Biology. Present day techniques in Cell Biology.

2. CELLULAR EVOLUTION. Origin of life and of the first cells. Prebiotic evolution. Evolution of prokaryotes. The first eukaryotic cell. Evolution of pluricelularity. Genome evolution. Concept of genome, gene and transcriptional unit. Coding and non-coding DNA sequences. Mechanisms of genome evolution.

3. INTERCELLULAR COMMUNICATION. Introduction: general aspects of cell communication. Cell signaling mechanisms. Signaling mediated by intracellular receptors. Signal transduction concept. Signaling mediated by membrane receptors: coupled to G proteins and second messengers, ion-channels and catalytic. Other signaling systems. Interactions between signaling systems: neuroepitelial cells.

4. CELL ADHESION AND MOTILITY. Molecular mechanisms of cell adhesion: inmunoglobulins, cadherines, integrins, selectins, proteoglycans. Importance of adhesion in embryo development, in inflammatory and in cicatrisation processes and in cancer. Cell motility mechanisms: actin cell cortex tension and substrate adhesion and endocytic cycle. Generation of polarity in moving cells. Relative importance of microtubules and microfilaments in cell motility. Kimiotaxis.

5. BIOGENESIS OF ORGANELLES. General mechanism of protein import in organelles. Signal sequences and protein sorting. Protein folding and assembly. Protein recycling: ubiquitin signaling and proteolytic degeneration in proteasomes. Biogenesis of nuclei, mitochondria/chloroplasts and peroxisomes.

6. INTRACELLULAR VESICULAR TRAFFIC. Vesicle formation, compartment identity maintenance, vesicle traffic, membrane fusion. Mechanisms of sorting transport vesicles. Types of transport vesicles: clathrin, coatomer, cabeolin coated. Transport direction: Rab, SNAREs and NSF. Role of cytosqueleton.

7. CELL CYCLE REGULATION. Concept of cell renewal. Cell growth phases. Regulation: check-points. Cell cycle regulatory proteins: cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases. Growth factors.

8. CELL DIFFERENTIATION. Cell determination and differentiation. Unchanging genome. Differential gene expression. Induction and competence. Nuclear memory. Genetic imprint and DNA mutilation, X chromosome inactivation. Cytoplasmic memory. Autocrine memory. Des-differentiation: and trans-differentiation.

9. MORPHOGENESIS: FORMATION OF BODY-PATTERN. Space and cell differentiation. Formation of body-pattern. Positional information: homeotic genes. Genes for the formation of the fruifly body-pattern: egg polarity genes, segmentation genes, homeogenes. Homeotic sequence. Conservation of genes of body-pattern formation in evolution.

10. CELL RENEWAL AND TISSUE MAINTENANCE. Maintenance of the differentiated status of cells. Cell renewal. Renewal through duplication. Renewal through stem-cells.

11. CELL BIOLOGY OF CANCER. Definitions: benign and malign tumors, metastasis, cancer. Phenotype and characteristics of cancer cells. Cancer progression: beginning, promotion. Carcinogenic agents: chemical agents, physical agents, viruses. Proto-oncogenes and oncogenes. Tumor-suppressor genes. Mistakes in DNA repair.

12. CELL AGING. Definition, Hayflick¿s limit. Mechanisms. Stochastic theories or theories of mistake: oxygen free radicals. Deterministic theories or theories based upon a genetic program: gerontogenes, regulation of cell cycle; decrease in telomere length.

13. CELL DAMAGE AND DEATH. Cell damage. Necrosis. Apoptosis. Intracellular and extracellular signals, cell death receptors. The importance of calcium. Caspases Mitochondria in apoptosis

(cytochrome c and AIF). Apoptosis in the development of the embryo and in mature organisms.

14. BIOLOGY OF THE CANCER CELL. Definitions: malignant and benign tumor, metastasis and cancer. Phenotype and characteristics of cancer cells. Development of cancer: beginning and follow-up. Carcinogenic agents: chemical and physical agents and viruses. Retrobugs. Proto-oncogene and oncogene. Tumor suppressor genes. Errors in DNA repair.



PROGRAM OF PRACTICAL LESSONS



CLASSROOM PRACTICALS

1. Bibliographic search in Pubmed

2. Organization of the eukaryotic gene.

3. Cancer.

4. Biogenesis and diseases associated to mutations in protein localization sequences



LABORATORY PRACTICALS

5. Morphogenesis: formation of body pattern.

6. Cell cycle regulation and the cytoskeleton in cell division.

7. Cancer

8. Cell adhesion and motility.





SEMINARS

9. Oral presentation of a work based on Cell Biology scientific articles (a reasearh and a review).

THEORETICAL SESSIONS. The students will have the presentations on the eGela platform. Likewise, a series of videos and links of interest in the eGela platofoma will be made available to students in order to have the possibility of deepening the contents of the subject.



LABORATORY PRACTICAL SESSIONS. By means of basic techniques in Cell Biology (light microscopy and cell cultures) the different applications that Molecular Cell Biology can have will be analyzed.



CLASSROOM PRACTICE SESSIONS. Different approaches will be made to the use of data bases in Molecular Cell Biology.



SEMINARS SESSIONS. A group presentation of different types of activities on a current issue of investigation in Molecular Cell Biology.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 55
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 15
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 15
  • Exhibition of works, readings ... (%): 15

ORDINARY CALL EVALUATION:



A) CONTINUOUS assessment

The final grade will be calculated by applying the following percentages only when the obtained grade in each of the sections is 5 or higher.



- Written final exam (limited space) (55%): The written test will consist of an examination of all the contents of the subject. It may include different types of questions and exercises, such as short questions to develop, making comparative tables or schematic drawings, definitions, test questions, etc. Evaluation criteria: Relevance of the response, use of scientific terminology, expression and argumentation. Mandatory activity.



- Questionaries (%15). Questionaries will be performed at the end of each thematic blocks with 15 to 25 test-type questions.



- Seminar evaluation (presentation and oral defense) (15%). Selection and in-depth study of at least two research articles (one review and one experimental) related to Molecular Cell Biology. Delivery of a written work and presentation in the classroom. Evaluation criteria: organization and structuring of information, use of scientific terminology, capacity for analysis and synthesis, clarity of exposition, adequate expression and communicative attitude, use of adequate resources Seminars are mandatory activities.



- Evaluation of laboratory practices and classroom practices (15%): Delivery of different works and questionnaires through the tools of the eGela platform. Evaluation criteria. Relevance of the answer, use of scientific terminology, expression and argumentation. Laboratory activities are mandatory.





B) FINAL assessment : Written test . Theory 70% and Practical 30% (includes questions about laboratory and seminars), only when the obtained grade in each of the sections is 5 or higher.





DISCLAIMER: For students, with continuous or final evaluation options, it will be enough to not take the final test to obtain a final grade as << Not presented >>.



WAIVER OF CONTINUOUS EVALUATION. Students who wish to renounce the continuous assessment system and want to do for the final assessment, must indicate this in writing in the place provided for this in the final written test.



During the development of the evaluation tests, the use of books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or other devices by the students will be prohibited. In case of dishonest or fraudulent practice, the provisions of the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in the evaluation tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU will be applied.

EVALUATION NON-ORDINARY CALL: Written test. Theory 70% and Practical 30% (includes questions about laboratory and seminars) only when the obtained grade in each of the sections is 5 or higher.





EXAM CALL RENOUNCE BY STUDENTS: For the students it will be sufficient not to take part in the final exam so the final grade of the subject will be << Not presented >>.



During the development of the evaluation tests, the use of books, notes, as well as telephone, electronic, computer or other devices by the students will be prohibited. In case of dishonest or fraudulent practice, the provisions of the protocol on academic ethics and prevention of dishonest or fraudulent practices in the evaluation tests and academic work at the UPV/EHU will be applied.

The basic material in order to follow the theoretical lesson will be in the e-gela.
Lab coat and the protocol of the practicals is compulsory for lab practicals.

Basic bibliography

ALBERTS B, D BRAY, K HOPKIN, A JOHNSON, J LEWIS, M RAFF, K ROBERTS & P WALTER. 2015. Essential cell biology. 4rd edit, Garland Science, New York & London.

ALBERTS B, JOHNSON A, LEWIS J, RAFF M, ROBERTS K & P WALTER. 2015. Molecular biology of the cell 6th edit., Garland Science, New York.

GILBERT SF. 2003. Developmental biology. 7th edit, Sinauer Associates Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts. Spanish edition: Biología del Desarrollo. 7th edit, 2005, Editorial Médica Panamericana, Buenos Aires.

KARP G. 2011. Biología cellular y molecular: conceptos y experimentos. 6th edit. McGraw Hill.

LODISH H, A BERK, CA KAISER, M KRIEGER, A BRETSCHER, A AMON, MP SCOTT. 2016. Biología Celular y Molecular. 7th edit. ditorial Médica Panamericana, Buenos Aires.

POLLARD TD & WC EARNSHAW. 2004. Cell Biology. Elsevier Saunders.

In-depth bibliography

BECKER WM, LJ KLEINSMITH & J HARDIN. 2007. El Mundo de la Célula. 6th edit. Pearson Educación S.A.
BROWN TA. 2007. Genomes 3. 3rd edit. Garland Science, New York.
JUNQUEIRA LC; CARNEIRO J. 2005. Histología Básica. Texto y Atlas. 6th edit, Masson SA, Barcelona.
PANIAGUA R, NISTAL M, SESMA P, ÁLVAREZ-URÍA M, FRAILE B, ANADÓN R, SÁEZ FJ. 2007. Biología Celular. Vol.I. 4th edit, McGraw-Hill-Interamericana, Madrid.
STEVENS A, LOWE J. 1998. Histología humana. Harcourt Brace.
WOLPERT L, TM JESSELL, P LAWRENCE, E MEYEROWITZ, E ROBERTSON & J SMITH. 2010. Principio del desarrollo. 3rd edit. Editorial Médica Panamericana.

Journals

Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
Cell
Cell and Tissue Research
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
Experimental Cell Research
European Journal of Cell Biology
Histochemistry and Cell Biology
International Review of Cytology
Journal of Cell Biology
Journal of Cell Science

Web addresses

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~browder/virtualembryo/learning.html
http://www.cellsalive.com/
http://blogs.nature.com/blog/category/cell-and-molecular-biology/
https://blog.rsb.org.uk/