Module BIOL3341: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETING

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL3341: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETING

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To promote an appreciation of the molecular events occurring in cells upon receipt of an external signal.
• To appreciate how proteins are targeted to different organelles and how these targeting events respond to cell signals.
• To conduct a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation or literature search is important.

Content

• The secretory pathway.
• Lysosomes, Vesicles.
• Coatomers.
• Clathrin.
• Genetics of secretion.
• Mitochondria.
• Peroxisomes.
• Nuclear import.
• Targeting of proteins to plastids.
• Brief review of structure and function of important signalling molecules including hormones, receptor, G proteins and effector enzymes.
• cAMP, 1,2-diacylglycerol, inositol phosphates and Ca2+.
• Ras other small GTPases.
• MAP Kinase pathways.
• Oncogenes.
• Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.
• Regulation of Inositol kinases, roles of PIP2 and PIP3.
• Plant cell Signals: Introduction to plant signalling mechanisms.
• light in plant development.
• mechanisms of hormone action.
• diversity of action and the 'new' plant hormones.
• Project - a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation or database information retrieval and analysis is important.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module each student should be able to: demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the molecular events involved in cell signalling.
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the molecular events involved in protein targeting.
• Understand that these processes are linked and form part of the homeostasis of the cell.

• Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
• Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental, clinical and field data and present the results effectively.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Taught Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures.
• Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of MCQs and summatively by a written examination.
• Interpretation of data will be summatively assessed by means of an unseen data handling exercise.
• Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.
• Project Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through supervised and directed literature search.
• Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of relevant data.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

MCQs to assess knowledge

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University