Module BIOL4041: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETTING (MSCI)

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL4041: CELL SIGNALS AND PROTEIN TARGETTING (MSCI)

Prerequisites

• Molecular Biology BIOL2201 and Cell Structure and Function BIOL2211.

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 an investigation into a topic on cell signals OR protein targeting where knowledge obtained by a literature search is important.
• To appreciate how failures in cellular organisation can impact on the health of humans and other organism.

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 mechanics.
• Light in plant development.
• mechanisms of hormone action.
• diversity of action and the 'new' plant hormones.

Learning Outcomes

• Students 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.

• be able to design an experimental strategy to investigate an aspect of cell signalling or protein targeting.

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

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

• Taught compoent: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through means of lectures.
• MCQs are appropriate as a revision aid and to demonstrate knowledge acquisition.
• The data handling exercise will show the ability to interpret data and develop presentation skills.
• The integration of these skills will be assessed in the written examination.
• Skills will be acquired through the searching, retrieval and presentation of relevant data.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

MCQ.

■ 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