Cell Biology

Full course description

In this course students have an opportunity to get acquainted with the discipline of cell biology. This discipline has been profiting from the development and improvements of recombinant DNA technology and is a driving force in fundamental and biomedical research. In this course students are challenged to discuss, at a detailed molecular level, different cellular and genetic processes that are the basis of life as we know it. The aim of the course is to familiarize students with further knowledge in the field of cell biology, which will enable them to better understand and appreciate the newest developments in this research area. Discussions will revolve around general cell biological topics such as the role of membranes, membrane transport of small molecules, the nuclear architecture, the organization of the genome, regulation of transcription and translation, protein trafficking, the cell cycle and maintenance of genomic integrity, programmed cell death and senescence. The last task, dealing with cancer, serves as an integration task; knowledge of the previous topics is required to appreciate what the consequences can be when a cell goes astray and the defence mechanisms of the body fail.