CBI-20306 Cell Biology and Health

Vak

Studiepunten 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

CBI-10306

Continuation courses:

CBI-30306, CBI-30806, TOX-30306, TOX-30806, VIR-30306, VIR-30806

Contents:

Each organism lives in a continuous interaction with its environment. This interaction is of vital importance for the organism, but at the same time can be a threat. Therefore each organism must have the right strategy to survive different abiotic and biotic threats. In this introductory course several mechanisms important for the damage to or recovery of mammalian cells will be discussed and a variety of human and animal health problems (i.e. influenza, HIV, classical swine fever, cancer, endocrine disruption, infertility) will be considered. Special attention will be paid to the cell biological, immunological, toxicological and virological aspects of these processes.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course student are expected to be able to:
- define and memorize normal regulation of proliferation, differentiation and death of mammalian cells;
- discuss mechanisms modulating the immune response (suppression by viruses and toxic agents; stimulation by vaccines and toxic agents; immunological disturbances);
- discuss mechanisms of viral infections and the subsequent diseases (i.e. influenza, HIV, classical swine fever, cancer);
- define and memorize basic principles in toxicological risk assessment and mechanisms underlying adverse health effects caused by toxic agents with emphasis on cancer, immunotoxicity and developmental and reproductive toxicity.

Activities:

The course can be divided in 3 parts:
- 24 lectures (3 credits);
- a scientific case (1.8 credits);
- a practical course, in which a variety of techniques will be applied (1.2 credits).

Examination:

A written exam (MC questions) on the information presented in lectures and practicals will compose 90% of the final mark. The other 10% of the final mark will be given for the contributions and participation in the case studies.

Literature:

A reader for the lectures and the practical course will be for sale of the WUR-shop. For the case studies literature will be supplied.