Learning objectives
The Course aims at imparting basic notions about how a cell is structured and how it works inside and outside, considering it both as a single entity and in its social/tissue context. Students are therefore expected to gain a deep knowledge and thorough understanding of the primary cellular phenomena and how they may be regulated. By also familiarizing with the technologies that may be used for studying these phenomena and various aspects of cellular behaviour, the student is also assured to acquire full comprehension about how the acquired knowledge can be exploited in applied terms. Through the Course students are further instructed in the ability to collect, compile and evaluate scientific information and data in the field such to be able to make proper judgements about their validity. This will be instrumental in their development of better communications and learning skills.
Prerequisites
Students may benefit from a basic knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology and to some extent microbiology/immunology.
Course unit content
The Course starts with a comprehensive presentation of the up-to-date methods, procedures and equipment utilized to visualize and assess cells in vitro and in their natural environment. It illustrates approaches to monitor the behaviour of cells (visualized collectively or as single cells) in vitro and within the organism using fluorescent and non-fluorescent methods, video time-lapse, intravital micrsocopy and super resolution microscopy. All currently available microscopic techniques are thoroughly described, along with complementary procedures. The Course then continues with the elaboration of the structural-functional traits of cell membranes, the modes through which single components and macromolecular complexes are anchored to it, and how the external cell membrane is linked to the cytoskeleton. It then approaches how the transport of ions, solutes, and smaller molecules across the membrane ensues and it discusses the concept of electrochemical transmission through modulation of the cell membrane potential.
A substantial part of the Course is dedicated to the understanding of the modes through which cells interact with their microenvironment, in the first instance by establishing cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix contacts and secondarily by adopting a variety of junctional complexes to assure effective communication with neighboring cells and their matrix substrates. In this context, representative examples are given on how cellular interactions are critically important for the homeostatic, patho-physiological and pathological phenomena talking place in the human (vertebrate) body. When treating these aspects, students are introduced into the structural-functional peculiarities of the cytoskeleton and the complex regulation of its dynamics. Even in this case, these notions are put into context by elaborating on the phenomena of cell adhesion, mechanotransduction and the regulation of cell motility. To conclude this part of the Course a fair amount of time is spent describing the structural-functional characteristics of the three primary categories of matrices, interstitial-, fibrillar- and basement membrane-type and how their assembly and remodeling is governed.
Subjects related to intracellular events and including protein synthesis and post-translational elaboration, vesicle trafficking, endocytosis/phagocytosis and dynamics of organelles is thoroughly discussed, along with a deeper elaboration of the structural-functional properties and significance of motor proteins. Another extensively elaborated chapter is that related to cell signaling and the mechanisms of signal transduction. This is immediately followed by an overview of the regulation of the cell cycle and modes of cell division. In its final part, the Course approaches the phenomenon of programmed cell death. This is done by putting it into physiological and pathological contexts and by dwelling upon the primary mechanisms underlying its control.
Full programme
The Course treats the subjects reported below. These correspond exactly to the book Chapters: Numbers.
The topics discussed therefore include:
1) Methods and equipment used to visualize cells and monitor their behaviour in vitro and in vivo;
2) Structure and composition of cell membranes;
3) Transport of ions and solutes across the cell membrane and the principle of electrochemical signalling;
4) Intracellular Compartments;
5) Protein synthesis and post-translational modifications;
6) Protein Sorting, vesicle trafficking and mechanisms of endocytosis, exocytosis and phagocytosis;
7) Mechanisms, modalities and significance of signal transduction;
8) Structure, function and dynamics of the cytoskeleton and the processes of mechanotransduction and cell motility;
9) Structure and function of motor proteins;
10) Regulation of the cell cycle and the process of cell division;
11) Mechanisms controlling the phenomenon of programmed cell death;
12) Structure and function of junctional complexes involved in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions and their role in controlling physiological and pathological cellular phenomena.
Bibliography
The recommended course book is the “The Molecular Biology of the Cell”, authored by Bruce Alberts and coauthors (i.e. Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter), Sixth Edition, 2015, Garland Sciences. Recommendation of this text book is fully compatible with the renowned appreciation of this text book by both lecturers and students attending undergraduate Cell Biology courses and analogous courses worldwide. Other recommended books: "Essential Cell Biology" authored by Bruce Alberts and coauthors (i.e. Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter) fourth Edition, 2016 Garland Science; "Karp's Cell and Molecular Biology: Concepts and Experiments" authors Janet Iwasa, Wallace Marshall Editor: John Wiley & Sons Inc; eight edition 2015
Teaching methods
The Course is based upon conventional lecturing. Delivery of lectures relies upon PowerPoint presentations portraying the sequence of figures, schemes and tables reported in the Chapters of the course book. These illustrations will be complemented by scheme, figures, tables and other more updated and/or more complete illustrations derived from other books, scientific articles or similar presentations made worldwide. Following each lecture, the corresponding presentation is posted on the University web Platform Elly, such as to be fully accessible to the students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Evaluation of course proficiency is accomplished through a written test based upon 4 open questions, each receiving a maximum of 4 points, for a total of 16 points (4 questions x4 points per question = 16 points max) and 16 multiple choice questions (typically 5 choices/question) strictly related to the content of the Course and/or subjects that have been extensively dealt upon during the lectures (16 questions x1 point per question= max 16 points ). Correct answer may be one or more of the indicated choices and is invariably scored with one point (i.e. there are no half-point scorings). Each question is correctly replied solely when the exact answer(s) has been ticked. The cumulative score, resulting from the sum of all points obtained in a given test, defines a putative, preliminary vote (e.g. a total scoring of 24 for one exam is equivalent to the vote 24/30). Correction of tests by the Lecturer usually requires 7-10 days and the results are posted on the corresponding form appearing on the Esse3 institutional web site. Upon request, tests can be viewed by the students during a dedicated session, properly published through the web platforms of the University. It is a prerogative of the individual student to choose to confirm the vote achieved through the total score of a written test as the vote to register as a final vote for the exam of the Course. Alternatively, the student may opt for a conventional oral exam, which will have the purpose to integrate the performance of the written test. This means that the putative, preliminary vote constitutes a “baseline vote”, which can only be incremented through the oral exam. Multiple choice test. If the test is successful, the student can ask to proceed with the grade recording or to take an integrative oral examination. In the event that the student's preference falls on the second option, the final grade will be the average of the results reported in the two tests.
ALL FINAL registrations of the scores obtained in written tests and eventually assigned as a definite vote are done in an official exam. It is MANDATORY to sign up for the participation at any written test and/or oral exams, by registering on the dedicated page of the Esse3 web site. This means that it is not possible register votes outside of the official exam periods. There is no limit in the amount of written tests that can be taken during an official exam period, or during the entire academic year. To note is, however, that it is MANDATORY to achieve a minimum score of 18 in one written test to be able to access the oral exam for registration of the score obtained as a final vote or to undergo the oral exam. The score received on a written test lasts forever. In exceptional cases in which a student has achieved a score of 16-17 in 3 or more tests (even non consecutive), the student may be allowed to access an oral exam.
Other information
Clarifications on any aspect of the content of the Course or its pursuing may be provided at any time by the Lecturer. The description of the Course's content and outline is thoroughly illustrated by Lecturer during the first and last lectures of the Course.
