Dentistry

Cell and Molecular Biology II1

Biologia Celular e Molecular II

Course code:9548113

Isabel Maria Correa Calvente de Barahona

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

The aim of this curricular unit is the acquisition of fundamental concepts regarding the functioning of living systems, studying in detail the simplest living system, the cell and their interactions with the environment.
Students knowledge acquired previously will be developed, i.e. students should be able to explain at the molecular level the functioning of the cell and to understand different regulatory mechanisms which are indispensable for the proper functioning of living beings.
The knowledge gained in molecular biology has implications in medical practice, in particular in understanding different diseases that will be discussed and analysed.

Syllabus:
  1. CELLULAR SIGNALING
    Different signalling pathways that control the activity of genes associated with different receptors.
  2. CELL CYCLE CONTROL AND CELL GROWTH
    Regulation mechanisms of the cell cycle.
  3. CELL LINEAGES, BIRTH AND CELL DEATH
    Stem cell and cellular lineage.
    Differentiation.
    Cell death and its regulation.
  4. TRANSPORT MECHANISMS OF MOLECULES
    Transport of small and large molecules through membranes.
  5. INTRACELLULAR PROTEIN TRAFFIC
    Signalization and forwarding of proteins to different organelles.
    Molecular mechanisms of protein transport through the membranes.
    Secretion pathway.
    Vesicles.
  6. GENERAL AND SPECIFIC CELL MOVEMENT OF MUSCLE AND NERVE CELLS CYTOSKELETON
    Microfilaments.
    Mechanisms of muscle contraction.
    Microtubules: structure and diversity of microtubules. Kinetic and structural polarity of microtubules. Intracellular transport through microtubules.
    Cilia and flagella intermediate filaments.
Suggested Bibliography:
  • Lodish, Berk, Kaiser, Krieger, Bretscher, Ploegh, Amon and Martin (2016) Molecular Cell Biology. 8th ed. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN 978-1464183393.
  • Cooper GM and Hausman RE (2013) The Cell, a Molecular Approach. 6th ed, Sinauer Associates, Inc., USA. ISBN 978-1-60535-155-1.
  • Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M (2014) Molecular Biology of the Cell. 6th ed. Garland Publishing, Inc. London. ISBN 978-0815344322.
  • Alberts B, Roberts K, Lewis J, Hopkin K, Johnson A, Walter P, Raff M, Bray D (2003) Essential cell biology: an introduction to the molecular biology of the cell. 2nd ed., Garland Publishing, Inc., New York & London. ISBN 9780815334804.
  • Azevedo C & Sunkel CE (2012) Biologia Celular e Molecular, 5th ed., Lidel, edições técnicas, Lisboa. ISBN 978-972-757-692-0.