CBI-20306 Cell Biology and Health

Course

Credits 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:

At the end of the course the student is expected to:
- understand normal regulation of proliferation, differentiation and death of mammalian cells;
- understand mechanisms modulating the immune response (suppression by viruses and toxic agents; stimulation by vaccines and toxic agents; immunological disturbances);
- have a better understanding in the mechanisms of viral infections and the subsequent diseases (i.e. influenza, HIV, classical swine fever, cancer);
- understand 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 and fill out questions) on the information presented in lectures and practicals will compose 80% of the final mark. The other 20% of the final mark will be given for the contributions and participation in the case studies.

Literature:

A reader for the lectures and one for the practical course. For the case some papers and additional information will be supplied.