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Course & Unit Catalogues


SL22039: Cancer biology and molecular medicine

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CWRI 20%, EXOB 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Report Individual (CWRI 20%)
  • Open-book written examination 1 (EXOB 20%)
  • Open-book written examination 2 (EXOB 60%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, you will be able to:
* give a detailed account of the different hallmarks of cancer;
* define different classes of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes and explain the different types of mutations and alterations in these genes that lead to cancer;
* explain the rationale behind tumour therapy, including conventional approaches of radio/chemotherapy and the development of newer targeted approaches to treat cancer;
* describe the molecular and biochemical systems that are of wider use in medical diagnostics and treatment;
* explain the development and uses of molecular approaches to the treatment of several major medical conditions in addition to cancer;
* grow and manipulate cancer cell lines in culture to determine drug responses.


Synopsis: Through lectures and practicals, you will see how molecular biology and molecular techniques are directly impacting on medicine and health. You will develop an in-depth understanding of the hallmarks of cancer, the different types of cancer-causing genes and the genetic alterations that drive cancer progression. The development and use of different molecular targeted therapeutics and genetic techniques for the treatment of cancer and other major medical conditions will be explored.

Content: Molecular hallmarks of cancer. The role of oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, the non-coding genome, the immune system, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis among others, and link these to cancer therapeutic targets. Characteristics of molecular systems relevant to medicine and health. Molecular diagnostic techniques of use to medicine. Example case studies include cancer as well as other diseases such as diabetes and bacterial and viral infection. Molecular approaches used to understand medically relevant issues and develop interventions (eg. genomics for anti-cancer target identification, epidemiology and prediction, regenerative medicine, personalised medicine).

Course availability:

SL22039 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFB11 : BSc(Hons) Biology (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB11 : BSc(Hons) Biology with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM10 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM10 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM11 : MBiol(Hons) Biology (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM11 : MBiol(Hons) Biology with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USSL-AFM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 2)
  • USSL-AKM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.