Module Catalogue 2024/25

BGM3065 : Biochemistry of Cancer and Chronic Diseases

BGM3065 : Biochemistry of Cancer and Chronic Diseases

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Craig Robson
  • Lecturer: Professor James Allan, Dr Lindi Chen, Professor Steven Clifford, Professor Julie Irving, Dr Jon Sellars, Dr Catherine Arden, Professor Neil Perkins, Dr Jack Leslie
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

Common Stage 1 for all BMS students; stage 2 Biochemistry (C700/C701)

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Through lectures and seminars this module aims to;

• provide an understanding of the biochemistry and clinical aspects of a number of chronic human diseases.
• explain how knowledge of the biochemistry of a disorder can be used to develop rational drug design for its treatment.
• provide an opportunity for students to further develop their written skills and critical analytical skills.
• inform students about the genetic and molecular basis of cancer and its treatment.
• introduce current technologies used in cancer detection, diagnostics and molecular pathology and allow students to explore how these techniques are being applied to advance our understanding of cancer.
• facilitate an understanding of the problems associated with cancer treatments.

Outline Of Syllabus

The biochemistry and clinical aspects of a number of chronic human diseases will be explored to explain how knowledge of the biochemistry of a disorder can be used to develop rational drug design for treatment. Topics include:
• biochemistry of trace metal sensing and its relevance to disease.
• core mechanisms of metal-homeostasis (metallochaperones, metal-sensing transcriptional and translational regulators, metal-specific transporters and storage proteins) and provide some examples of the ways in which these processes fail in disease.
• NF-kB signalling in health and disease.
• G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling and disease.
• background to the biochemistry and molecular biology of cancer.
• cancer as a multi-process genetic disease.
• role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.
• roles of failures in the DNA repair mechanisms in causing cancer
• factors that lead to metastasis.
• experimental genetic models of tumour development.
• methods of anticancer treatment and the problems of drug resistance.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of the module the students will be able to:

1) Recognise the fundamental roles that trace metals have in biology, describe how and why metal homeostasis is maintained in cells and elaborate on how disruption of this in humans can result in diseases such as hemochromatosis.

2) Relate how the NF-KB pathway is regulated, the different roles it has in immunity, inflammation and cancer and how it can be targeted therapeutically.

3) Explain how the dysregulation of GPCR signalling is involved in disease.

4) Discuss the genetic and molecular basis of cancer.

5) Explain the mechanisms of action of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.

6) Explain the major cellular processes which contribute to cancer development and progression.

7) Discuss the rationale of various cancer therapies.

8) Discuss the relevance of apoptosis and chromosomal instability to cancer developments and
treatment.

9) Discuss the basis of and problems facing current methods for cancer treatment.

10) Discuss current technologies being applied to improve our understanding of cancer, and their
applications for cancer detection and diagnostics.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to:

1) interpret and discuss complex information relating to the biochemistry and clinical aspects of human diseases.

2) Critically interpret the relevant scientific literature and communicate in writing complex ideas under time pressure.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture271:0027:00In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching40:302:00Seminars - In person
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching21:002:00In person - Seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching11:001:00Essay Information Session - In person
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1168:00168:00Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading.
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will provide the students with essential information to achieve learning outcomes.

Seminars will provide additional information and develop the student’s critical skills.

The seminars focus on major topics covered in the lectures, providing in-depth knowledge of the
topics and opportunities for students to discuss topic areas where they require additional information or clarification is required.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A70Invigilated exam: The paper divided into 2 sections A & B relating to 2 strands. Students select one essay topic from each section
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
The Molecular Basis of Cancer2Exams to be scheduled at the same time. Shared lectures/topics will allow the same questions to be used by these 2 modules
Cancer Biology and Therapy2Exams to be scheduled at the same time. Shared lectures/topics will allow the same questions to be used by these 2 modules
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M30Extended Essay 1 (max 2000 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written exam primarily assesses students' knowledge and understanding.

The essay, written after tutorial discussions, will develop the students' ability to assimilate and analyse complex scientific information and to develop their written skills. The feedback will allow students to improve on their essay writing skills in preparation for the final examination.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.