Goals
• Acquire and master concepts related to proliferation and differentiation processes, including regulatory events of the cell cycle and programmed cell death.
• Understand the importance of these mechanisms in normal development and neoplastic transformation.
Content
Lectures:
1. Control of Proliferation and Cell Cycle
o Mechanisms and regulation of cell division and cycle progression (phases, checkpoints, cyclin/Cdk complexes; Rb/E2F proteins, Cdk inhibitors; MPF, histone modifications, cdc25).
o p53 and genome integrity (p53 proteins, mdm2/p19ARF, target genes).
o Synthesis and degradation of cell cycle regulators (transcription, ubiquitin, proteasome).
o Mitogenic factors and regulation of cyclin/Cdk expression.
o Cell adhesion and regulation of division cycles.
o Cycle inhibition, growth arrest, and differentiation.
2. Control of Cell Death and Senescence
o Types of cell death.
o Pathways controlling apoptosis (role of mitochondria homeostasis, role of extracellular-including inflammatory- ligands).
o ER stress and cell death.
o Autophagy.
o Senescence.
3. Proliferation and Survival Disorders and Tumor Pathophysiology
Tutorials:
• Analysis of scientific articles.
Additional Information
• Acquire and master concepts related to proliferation and differentiation processes, including regulatory events of the cell cycle and programmed cell death.
• Understand the importance of these mechanisms in normal development and neoplastic transformation.
