Admission requirements
This course is mandatory for and restricted to students who do the minor 'Disease Signaling and Drug Targets' (DSDT). The same admission criteria apply to this course as for the respective afore mentioned programs.
Description
This course will discuss the basic concepts of cellular signal transduction. The role of signal transduction pathways involving (receptor) kinases, adhesion receptors, cytokine receptors and chemokine receptors in disease development, progression and drug development is discussed.
Disease development and progression is largely due to the activation and/or modulation of cellular signaling. Mutations in signaling pathways that drive cell proliferation are key to cancer development and progression. In atherosclerosis, immune signaling is essential to promote atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Given the involved of perturbed signaling in disease, components of signaling networks are important candidate drug targets. This course will discuss the concepts of cellular signal transduction and focus on (receptor) kinases, cytokine receptors and chemokine receptors. We will discuss how these receptors are activated and which downstream signaling pathways are subsequently activated. Moreover, we will discuss how these different signaling pathways are also integrated in complex signaling networks that control biological outcome. We will further illustrate in what way these signaling pathways are involved in disease development and progression and how we can make use of this knowledge to develop novel therapeutic strategies using cancer and atherosclerosis as examples.
The aim of this course is to provide a strong basis for the understanding of cellular signal transduction, its role in disease and its application in drug development.
Course objectives
To gain insight in the basic concepts of cellular signal transduction.
To understand the overall concept that alterations in cell signaling pathways are involved in disease development and progression.
To gain knowledge on the functioning and regulation of kinases, phosphatases, adhesion receptors, cytokines and their receptors, and chemokines and their receptors.
To gain insight in the role of the various signaling pathways in development and progression of cancer and atherosclerosis.
To understand which elements in the various signaling pathways represent candidate drug targets for treatment of cancer and atherosclerosis.
To understand how the host immune system modulates disease progression.
Schedule
Teaching method
The course is largely based on a combination of lectures and independent self-study. In addition, two working group sessions are scheduled. Students will also apply the knowledge gained by completing a group-based integration assignment, in which they will implicate a signal transduction pathway and its related therapeutic applications in different disease topics.
Assesment method
An assignment report as well as a general exam.
Students will be graded individually for the assignment report and for the written exam. The assignment will account for 25% and written exam 75%.
Active participation in both working groups is mandatory.
Resit, review & feedback
Students will be offered the opportunity to take a resit examination prior to the completion of the minor.
Students may request an exam review after the publication of the exam results. Upon such a request, an exam review will be arranged in accordance with the applicable regulations and timelines.
Reading list
The literature will be provided during the course.
Registration
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lectures.
For questions about enrolment, admission etc, contact Education Administration Office.
For other questions about the course, contact Dr. Laura Bosmans
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.