Description
Cellular Pathology (ie. dysregulation of cell biology) is important in autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cancer.
Key to understanding disease pathology mechanisms is a comprehensive knowledge of the molecular biology of normal cells and how this is altered in different diseases.
For this module, you will explore the fundamental aspects of cell biology required for normal immune cell function and homeostasis (e.g. intracellular signalling and trafficking pathways, cell differentiation and cell death pathways). You will then learn how these are affected in a number of diseases and how this understanding can lead to the development of new therapies. The course will involve research-themed talks by lecturers at the forefronts of their fields that will present the experimental basis for our current understanding of cellular pathology. Students will then have a good appreciation of how the integration of these concepts is important for a holistic understanding of the disease process.
The Cellular Pathology module will not provide an exhaustive coverage of all of molecular cell biology. Therefore, it is recommended that a good cell biology textbook is used to supplement the lectures - particularly if you have not undertaken cell biology modules in your first two years of study.Ìý
Learning Outcomes
- Core understanding of how fundamental cellular processes contribute to disease
- Knowledge of how pathogens co-opt host cell functions for replicationÌý
- ÌýUnderstand key concepts in immune-regulation and how dysregulation causes pathogenesis
- Become familiar with reading and interpreting primary research papers
- Understand, through research informed lectures, how the study of infection and immunity is informing our understanding of the cell biology of disease
Useful textbook:
Essential Cell BiologyÌý(2019) Alberts et al. 5th Edition)
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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