Course and Subject Handbook

This subject builds on the principles and concepts introduced in BC2013 and BC2024 and focuses on how eukaryotic cells are regulated at the molecular and genetic level. Topics covered include intracellular structures, signal transduction, protein sorting and translocation, the cytoskeleton, the cell cycle, apoptosis, molecular immunology and the molecular biology of cancer. Advanced cell biology is important to a wide range of current biomedical and genetic research because it describes much of the biochemical basis for modern treatment and prophylaxis approaches. The lectures and practical sessions of this subject are focused on providing a background in molecular biomedicine to compete effectively in the job market. The first half of semester covers the structures and biochemistry of basic cell functions (division, death, movement, production and responsiveness) while the second half integrates this knowledge to develop a working understanding of the molecular bases of four complex biological systems: tumour biology, disease, immune responses to foreign proteins (allergies) and to infectious diseases (parasites).The subject concludes with a look to the past leading to emerging technologies and their impact on the field of biomedical science.