Learning objectives

Referring to knowledge — Know the structure and molecular composition of eukaryotic cells.   — Learn about the organisation, function and interactions between different cellular structures and organelles.    — Know the structural, functional and molecular bases of the main cellular processes, including differentiation, adhesion, cell cycle, cell death and the interactions responsible for tissue formation and maintenance.    — Know the basic laboratory techniques used in research in cell biology: imaging, analytical techniques such as chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation, FACS, gene analysis, etc.   — Learn basic rules and skills to work in a cell biology and cell culture laboratory.   — Read scientific literature critically, including original articles and reviews.   — Apply the methodological and conceptual basis of biology to interpret experimental results.

 

 

Teaching blocks

 

I. Cytoskeleton

*  
1. Actin filaments

• Introduction to the cytoskeleton; Molecular features: expression and molecular forms; Balance between soluble and insoluble fraction: molecular kinetics and proteins associated to the cytoskeleton
• Actin molecule; Expression and control; Functional domains of the G-actin; Molecular variants
• Balance between G-actin & F-actin in vitro and in vivo
• Functional regulation of actin-associated proteins

2. Microtubules

• Tubulin molecule; Expression and control; Factors that regulate dimerisation; Functional domains; Molecular forms
• Balance between dimer and microtubule in vitro: polymerisation
• Balance between dimer and microtubule in vivo: microtubule-associated proteins
• Regulation

3. Intermediate filaments

• Molecules that form intermediate filaments; Expression and control; Functional domains of the IF polypeptide; Categories of genes and groups of proteins
• Balance between tetramer and IF in vitro: polymerisation
• Cytoskeleton of plants

II. Extracellular matrix, adhesion and signalling

*  
4. Extracellular matrix

• The cell and its environment; Extracellular constituents
• Fibrillar, fibril-associated and network-assembled collagen; Elastic fibres
• Glycosaminoglycans; Proteoglycans
• Multiadhesive proteins: fibronectin, laminin
• Plant cell wall

5. Adhesion

• Introduction
• Features of adhesive molecules: domains of affinity, notion of receptor, contra-receptor, ligand, homophilic and heterophilic association; Associated signalling
• Integrins
• Cadherins
• Adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily
• Selectins: types and molecular characteristics; Leukodiapedesis
• Other adhesion-related molecules

6. Intracellular signalling

• Types of signalling; Membrane-associated receptors
• Receptors coupled to trimeric proteins; The adenylate cyclase-cAMP-PKA pathway, and IP3/DAG pathway
• Tyrosine kinase receptors and the MAPK pathway

III. Intracellular transport and organelles

*  
7. Compartmentalisation of cells and transport of cytosolic proteins

8. Cell nucleus: structure, function and transport between nucleus and cytosol

9. Mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes: structure, function and protein import

• Compartmentalisation of mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes
• Models of study of transport between cytosol and mitochondrion, or cytosol and chloroplast
• Model of transport to mitochondria and chloroplasts: translocation complexes and energetic requirements
• Transport to peroxisomes; Peroxins

10. Secretory pathway

• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus

11. Transport to lysosomes, endocytosis and endocytic pathway

• Lysosomes
• Endocytosis mediated by receptor

12. Vesicular transport

IV. Cell cycle and apoptosis

*  
13. Cell cycle and components of its control system

• Introduction
• Phases of cell cycle
• Components of cell-cycle control system; Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs); Cyclins; Cyclin-CDK complexes
• Regulation of cyclin-CDK complexes; Activation of the complexes by CAK; Enzymes that covalently modify the CDKs; Inhibitors of the complex cyclin-CDK

14. Regulation of the cell cycle

• Introduction
• Control of mitosis; Control of the transition G2/M; Control of the transition metaphase-anaphase
• Control of the transition G1/S; Cyclin D; The retinoblastoma protein; Family of E2F transcription factors; Checkpoints
• Control of the S-phase; Formation of the pre-replicative complex; Activation of the origins of replication; Control of double replication

15. Control of cell cycle in response to DNA damage

16. Apoptosis

 

 

Teaching methods and general organization

 

The course is equivalent to 6 ECTS credits and is organised in groups of up to 80 students. Learning activities are distributed as follows: Theory lectures: groups of 80 students, 28 sessions. Seminars: groups of 40 students, 13 sessions. Laboratory practical sessions: groups of 12 students, 15 hours. * The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.

 

 

Official assessment of learning outcomes

 

Two mid-semester exams: one at the end of October (10% of the final grade), another in December (15%). Practical laboratory sessions: a multiple-choice test (15%) on the same day of the final examination. Final examination: it covers the entire programme and takes place at the end of January / early February (60%). In order to pass the course, a final grade of 5 out of 10 must be achieved. * Students’ assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.   Examination-based assessment Final examination: it covers the entire programme and takes place at the end of January / early February (85% of the final grade). Practical laboratory sessions: a multiple-choice test (15%) on the same day of the final examination. In order to pass the course, a final grade of 5 out of 10 must be achieved. * Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.

Reading and study resources

Check availability in Cercabib

Book

ALBERTS, B. [et al.]. Molecular biology of the cell. 6th ed. New York : Garland Science, 2015  

[També, ALBERTS, B. Biología molecular de la célula : sexta edición. Barcelona : Omega, cop. 2016]  

LODISH, H. [et al.] Molecular cell biology. 8th ed. New York, NY : Freeman ; Macmillan Higher Education, 2016  

[També, 7a ed., 2016, en castellà]  

Adaptation of theory classes for online and blending learning during the academic year 2020-2021. Provisions for blended learning apply only to first-year bachelor's degree students.

 

-Theory classes and seminars, initially programmed for "in person" teaching (1/3-2/3 approximately) will be 100% online Les classes de teoria, seminaris i teòrico-pràctica programades presencial/no presencial (1/3-2/3 aproximadament) passen a ser 100% en línia. - Computer practices will be online Les pràctiques d’ordinador es passen a mode en línia