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Course content

Communication between cells by way of proteins, peptides and small molecules that activate cellular receptors is crucial for the development and function of all multicellular organisms. Dysfunctional receptor signalling is the cause of a variety of diseases, and most prescription drugs target specific receptors. This advanced course will describe the most commonly used methods for studying receptor signalling and will discuss cell signalling downstream of the most important receptor classes. Examples of signalling in development, physiology and disease will be provided. Because receptor signalling is tightly coupled to the intracellular trafficking of receptors, such trafficking - and its impact on signalling - will also be discussed in depth. The course will consist of a combination of lectures (by specialists in receptor signalling and trafficking), colloquia and presentations of selected topics by the students. It should be relevant for advanced students within biochemistry, molecular/cell biology, medicine and pharmacy.

Learning outcome

After accomplishing the course the student shall understand and be familiar with:
- Methods used to study receptor signalling and intracellular trafficking
- The significance of intracellular trafficking in acquired and congenital immunity
- Signalling through growth factor receptors, and how this signalling may be connected to the development of cancer
- Signalling through cytokinin receptors
- The significance of toll like receptors in congenital immunity
- Signalling by programmed necrocytosis
- Hormone signalling through G-protein connected receptors
- Signalling and intracellular trafficking by nuclear receptors
- Signalling in the synapses and recycling of synaptic vesicles

Learning methods and activities

26 Lectures, 8 hours colloquims, 2 hours mandatory presentations by the student.

Compulsory assignments

• 2 hours mandatory presentations by the student.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge on Master Degree level in medicine, cell biology, molecular biology.

Required previous knowledge

Master's Degree in biology, chemistry or physics. Medical doctor or Medical Student at the Student Research Programme. Candidates with a lower degree will be assessed individually, compare with recommended prev. knowledge.

Course materials

Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al.) 4. edition. Chapter 13 (Intracellular vesicular traffic) and chapter 15 (Cell communication). 130 pages in total.
In addition: 170 pages from review articles.