Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Cell and Molecular Biology 2
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Send an email to make an appointment, only Wednesday from 14 to 16h to jolmos@uic.es
Visits will not be accepted without appointment
Introduction
The cells are able to respond to different physicochemical stimuli due to a complex molecular system that governs that response. In this second part of Cellular and Molecular Biology we will see some of the most significant ways that cells have to communicate with the outside, as well as the importance of the cytoskeleton and the composition of the extracellular matrix play an important role in the regulation of these responses cell phones. In addition, this will serve to understand the mechanisms that cells have to interact with biomaterials. Finally, it will be important to know the fundamental basis of the most used techniques in Biology and put them into practice.
Pre-course requirements
The student must have successfully completed the subject of Cellular and Molecular Biology I (2nd semester)
Objectives
- To know the pathways in which tissue cells are able to communicate with other cells and with the outside
- To know cellular mechanisms that are involved in the response of external stimuli (cell-cell or cell-ECM / biomaterial)
- To know and use the main techniques and methods used in cell and molecular biology
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
- CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
- CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
- CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
- CG4 - To resolve problems based on initiative, be good at decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and communication, as well as the transmission of knowledge, skills and prowess in the field of Bioengineering
- CG8 - To apply quality principles and methods.
- CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
- CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- That the student knows the communication routes of the cells with other cells or with their surroundings
- That the student becomes familiar with the molecular mechanisms for the different processes involved in
- Know and use the main techniques and methods used in cell and molecular biology
Syllabus
Methodology of characterization
- Basis of cell culture
- Isolation of nucleid acids and proteins
- Biomolecular methods: PCR, RT-PC, qPCR, southern, northern, agarose gels
- Immunological methods: ICC, IHC, ELISA, SDS-PAGE, WB
Introduction to cell interaction
Types of receptor-ligand interaction (cell-ECM/ cell-cell)
- Types of cell contacts (desmosomes, hemidesmosomes..)
- Types of membrane receptor and ligands (cadherins, integrins…)
Mechanisms of the cytoskeleton
- Cell adhesion to ECM and Biomaterials
- Cell spreading
- Cell migration
Basics of cell signaling and receptor types
Cellular functions dependent on cell-environment interaction
- Cell survival
- Cell proliferation
- Cell differentiation
- Protein synthesis
Immunological response to implanted biomaterials
- Acute inflammation
- Macrophage response
- Foreign body reaction
- Formation of fibrotic capsule
- Chronification of the inflammation
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course will be divided mainly into master classes and problems classes.
Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material ... that the student must complete to complete the subject.
Classes will be taught in Spanish, although students' questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). The didactic material will be presented mainly in Spanish, although in some occasions, graphics, tables or schemes could be in English due to the sources from which they could be obtained.
Classes will be taught in English, although students' questions will be answered in the language of their choice (Spanish, Catalan or English). In addition, the student can choose to perform the exercises, assignments and exams in any of these languages. The teaching material will be presented mainly in English, with some exceptions (graphs, tables ...)
The list of ECTS credits and the workload in learning hours depending on the different methodologies that will be used. Each ECTS theoretical credit has 10 hours in which the teacher has a presence in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25 correspond to the load of directed and autonomous learning of the student. This last teaching load can be done through autonomous activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First call exam:
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Midterm exam (30%)
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Participation / Problems (30%)
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Final exam (40%)
A minimal mark of 5.0 should be obtained in the final exam and the midterm to pass the course. The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, without the possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors. An extra exam the final exam will be added for those students who fail the midterm exam to be considered in the final calculation of the course grade.
Assignments not given on time will not be accepted and can only be delivered through Moodle platform and not by email in any case.
Important considerations
- Plagiarism, copying, or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, in exams, it will mean the immediate failure of the whole subject.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
- Changes in the calendar, exam dates, or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
Alberts, B et al. Biología Molecular de la Célula. 6ª edición. Ediciones Omega 2016
Lodish et al. Biología Celular y Molecular. 7ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana S.A. 2016
Evaluation period
- E1 28/05/2025 P2A02 12:00h