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BC2024 - Principles of Molecular Cell Biology
Credit points: |
3 |
Year: |
2023 |
Student Contribution Band: |
Band
2 |
Administered by: |
College of Public Health, Medical and Vet Sciences |
For students who do not have the required pre-requisites, please seek advice from
the Discipline Academic Advisor to enrol
This subject introduces the regulatory systems in cells and organisms which form the
basis for pharmacology. It builds on the material covered in the two 1st semester
subject BC2013, by addressing how multicellular organisms can control and integrate
their metabolic processes and how cells interrelate and communicate with each other.
It also shows how disturbances in these processes cause disease and how these pathogenic
processes can be normalized by therapeutic drugs. The subject begins with detailed
descriptions of the molecular structure and function of biological membranes. Transport
across or within biomembranes is an important feature that underpins our understanding
of how proteins and drugs move between cells and within a cell. This is the basis
of regulation at the metabolic pathway level and is important in understanding the
mode of action of many drugs. The subject explores the functions of enzymes, how they
work at the molecular level and how inhibitors may interfere with their action. Regulation
at the cellular level is explored in detail, examining how signals are communicated
at the cell surface to invoke downstream intracellular molecular events, how nerve
cells communicate and how cell surface receptors interact with agonists and antagonists.
This includes examples of specific molecular ligand-receptor interactions both clinically
and those that have been exploited in drug development. Also covered are the major
cellular processes, the cell cycle and cell death. Therapeutic and vaccine failure
in modern day drug discovery & delivery is explored. This course of lectures should
therefore give you a balanced view of how cells are controlled, how they communicate
with each other and how chemical agents are able to alter cellular processes.
Learning Outcomes
- describe cell regulation mechanisms that allow cells to divide, function, move and
die in multicellular organisms;
- discuss signalling by cells using transmembrane receptors, enzymes, proteins and other
molecules to relay information between cells and how they can be inhibited;
- further develop and demonstrate skills in scientific literature research, science
communication, laboratory and analytical skills;
- explain how molecules can be utilized for therapeutic and pharmaceutical means and
the experimentation and regulatory processes required;
- work both independently and cooperatively within an undergraduate university environment.
Subject Assessment
- Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (50%) - Individual
- Practicals; Assignments - (50%) - Individual.
Special Assessment Requirements
Participate in and complete all 5 practical classes. Students cannot miss more than
1 practical without extenuating circumstances and approval from the subject coordinator;
Attend the final exam (50% weighting) and achieve a score of at least 50%; Achieve
a total aggregate score of 50% or more across all assessment items
Prerequisites: |
AT LEAST 18CP OF LEVEL 1 SUBJECTS INCLUDING BM1000 |
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:
|
PC2001 |
Availabilities
|
Townsville,
Study Period 2,
Internal
|
Census Date 24-Aug-2023 |
Coordinator: |
Professor Ludwig Lopata |
Lecturers:
|
Professor Ludwig Lopata, Dr Elecia Johnston, Mr Shaymaviswanathan Karnaneedi. |
Workload expectations: |
The student workload for this
3
credit point subject is approximately
130 hours.
- 36 hours lectures
- 10 hours tutorials
- 20 hours specialised
- assessment and self-directed study
|
|
|
Note:
Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process,
and in case
of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest
official information.