Module: Advanced Cell Biology

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Advanced Cell Biology
Module Code	BE323
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Naomi Walsh Semester 2: Naomi Walsh Autumn: Naomi Walsh
Module Teachers	Paul Cahill Paula Meleady Naomi Walsh Denise Harold Linda Holland
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Repeat examination
Reassessment will consist of 100% exam

Description

The purpose of this module is to help students build on their understanding of advanced concepts of cell biology, focusing on structure and function of proteins, lipids and extracellular vesicles; signaling pathways, cell cycle and cellular-cross talk with immune cells. Students will gain insight into dysregulation of cellular processes which can lead to diseases such as cancer and diabetes. They will also focus on tools (particularly lipidomics, proteomics, extracellular vesicles, targeted therapies) used for advancing molecular medicine, disease diagnosis and treatment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Value why lipids and extracellular vesicles are considered a new platform for drug delivery, biomarker discovery and future cancer therapies.
2. Describe the functional characteristics of human pancreatic beta cells and evaluate the most promising sources of new beta cells for functional replacement in Type 1 diabetes.
3. Discuss the advancement in proteomic/mass spec methods to detect specific proteins in biological samples
4. Define the molecules, cell types and pathways that uniquely distinguish the cells in the body including those of the immune system
5. Knowledge of molecular, genomic and cellular processes of immunological and cancer diseases
6. Identify and discuss the cell dysregulations that lead to the hallmarks of cancer

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Workshop	6	No Description
Assignment Completion	10	No Description
Independent Study	85	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Cellular Immunology
Innate & adaptive immunity, Complement, B cells, T Cells, macrophages

Cellular Diseases
Cancer cell biology, interactions between tissue cellular systems (vascular and immune cells). Immune mechanisms in disease pathogenesis. Lipid Biomarkers in cancer and diabetes

Lipids in Cell Biology
Cellular compartments of common biological lipids; Lipid movements into and out of cells; Modern Lipid analysis Methods; Lipidomics

Pancreatic beta cell biology
Processing of Proinsulin; Secretion of insulin; Post insulin receptor binding events in target tissues; Beta cell replacement with allogeneic, xenogeneic pancreatic islets, expanded beta cells, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived beta cells; Functionality criteria & analytical methods.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Two Loop quizzes each worth 10%, consisting of MCQ and/or short answer questions. To be carried out end of block 1-5 and end of block 6-12	20%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Lodish, Harvey F: 2013, Molecular Cell Biology, 7th Edition, W.H. Freeman, New York, 1464109818, 9
Karp, Gerald: 2010, Cell biology, 6th, John Wiley & Sons, 2010, Hoboken, N.J, 0470505761, 9

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
AS	BSc in Analytical Science
BP	BSc in Bioprocessing
BT	BSc in Biotechnology
GCB	BSc in Genetics & Cell Biology
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)

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