Cellular and Molecular Biology
Objectives
This UC aims to teach in an integrated manner human molecular and cell
biology. This course provides students with a fundamental knowledge that is
the basis for the understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that
are important for the study of human medicine. The overall objective of the
course is materialized in the acquisition of the following theoretical knowledge
and practical skills; To understand how the cells that form the human body
work, how they are organized internally, and what are the functions of the
molecules that constitute them; To know how cell signaling, communication
and differentiation processes work; To understand the molecular and cellular
processes involved in production, utilization and degradation of biomolecules.
To understand the Immune System, as a strategy to respond to the invasion of
foreign organisms.
General characterization
Code
107002
Credits
8
Responsible teacher
Maria de Guadalupe Gonçalves Cabral,José António Henriques de Conde Belo,SUSANA ISABEL MATEUS SANTOS,CLAUDIA ALEXANDRA PEREIRA GUEDES
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - 224
Teaching language
PT
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
Available soon
Teaching method
The UC is organized in theoretical and practical classes and Seminars. Theoretical
content will be available as pre-recorded short lectures on Moodle. There will be also
6 ¿onsite¿ Seminars.
The practical classes will be two 2-hour shifts (4 hrs/week).
The final grade includes the practical component (35%), seminar participation (5%)
and a final exam (60%). Practical assessment is continuous and takes into account
the following components: performance and class attendance of students; practical
exercises and written reports of the activities; attitude and knowledge of the
student; oral presentations; and a practical written test.
At the end of each Seminar, students will be evaluated by a quiz using a digital
platform. The 6 seminars are worth 1.0 points out of 20.
The final theoretical exam is carried out on a digital platform (QuizOne), is of
multiple choice and covers all theoretical topics. The access to the exam is
conditioned by the attendance of at least 2/3 of the practical classes and a 9,50
grade. The score in this exam must be at least 9.50.
Evaluation method
The teaching methodologies are consistent with the learning objectives. The
recorded lectures deliver a complete and detailed information of the syllabus. At
the end of the different modules, a on-classroom Seminar that integrates the
available contents not only allows a revisit of the provided theoretical contents but
also enables students with a perspective of its scientific and clinical application. At
the end of each Seminar, students will be evaluated through a small set of
multiple-choice questions, using a device with internet connection and an
application such as ZOOM or equivalent.
On the other hand, the practical classes provide answers to questions and
discussions in smaller groups of students of the most important aspects.
Additionally, the practicals stimulate the students to learn the concepts of
molecular and cell biology through the practice of doing the experiments and the
observation of cells and tissues. The case studies allow a detailed discussion of the
topics presented in small groups and help the teachers to evaluate how the
students are learning the topics of the course. The continuous assessment in the
practical classes, complemented with reports and practical tests, contextualized
within the content of the lectures, encourages students to study continuously
during the year. The final theoretical exam aims to assess all of the knowledge
acquired in theoretical and practical classes, which is a very important knowledge
base for learning many topics that will be developed during the Medical Degree.
Subject matter
Lectures (39 hrs)
The content of the theoretical lectures is delivered through video recorded short
classes, (equivalent to 50 mins each, some may be subdivided, in a traditional
format) and by 6 presential, integrative Seminars:
- The eucaryotic cell;
- Nuclear Processes: Genetic Mechanisms; Control of Gene Expression;
- Internal organization of the cell;
- Signaling Mechanisms, receptors and signaling molecules;
- Cell Cycle;
- Cell context and behavior: cell adhesion, apoptosis, senescence, cell
mobility and chemotaxis, cell differentiation and stem cells;
- Immune Mechanisms; Innate and adaptive immunity.
Practical module (52 hours)
- Proteins: protein study methods, quantification, detection of antibodies,
enzymatic activity;
- Nucleic acids; Recombinant DNA Technology, Mini-Project;
- Cells and Signaling: High Resolution Microscopy, Cell Culture, Cell Cycle
(¿Case Study I¿) and Signaling Pathways (¿Case Study II¿);
- Immune System: Innate Immunity and Antigen Recognition, Immune
response, Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity.