Cell Cycle and Apoptosis (LRR / BUCY)

Course objectives:
To acquire knowledge on regulation of the cell division and mechanisms of cell death.
Requirements on student
Successful passing of oral exam – a discussion on a given topic
Content
Model organisms suitable for studies of the cell division cycle. Regulation of celll cycle by cyclin-dependent kinases and ubiquitin ligases. Chromosome duplication (chromatin structure, origins of replication, regulation and control of the process). Early mitosis (initiation and regulation, cyclin-dependent kinases, polo kinases, aurora kinases, chromatin condensation, cohesion of chromatids). Mitotic spindle (microtubular cytoskeleton, centrosomes and kinetochores). Completion of mitotis (check point, anaphase and telophase). Cytokinesis (actin and myosin, cellular an nuclear membrane). Check points (DNA damage, sensing and reparation of damage). Cell cycle and neoplastic transformation. Apoptosis as a physiological and pathophysiological process. Extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways (death receptors and ligands, mitochondria, apoptosome). Molecular executors of apoptosis (proteases, DNases). Experimental methods for studies of cell cycle and apoptosis. Recommended knowledge: Basic knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
Activities
Guarantors and lecturers
Literature
  • Basic: Knowles M., Selby P. Introduction to the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer, 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0-19-852563-9.
  • Basic: Tannock I. F., Hill R. P., Bristow R. G., Harrington L. The Basic Science of Oncology. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2004. ISBN 0071387749.
  • Basic: Morgan D. O. The Cell Cycle: Principles of Control. New Science Press, Ltd., 2006. ISBN 0878935088.
  • On-line library catalogues
Prerequisites – other information about course preconditions
To acquire knowledge on regulation of the cell division and mechanisms of cell death.
Competences acquired
Student should be able to (after attending the course): – explain the advantages and limitations of frequent models of cell cycle studies – characterise modern methods of cell cycle studies – explain the mechanisms of cell division cycle regulation by kinases and proteases – explain the normal regulation of proliferation, differentiation and death of animal cells;
Teaching methods
  • Lecture
Assessment methods
  • Mark