Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Programme Admission Criteria Only

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

Aims

This module is designed to introduce students to the molecular cell biology of four fundamental areas:

(1) control of mitosis and meiosis, including asymmetric and bacterial cell division;
(2) gene expression, epigenetics and chromatin;
(3) DNA damage and genome instability; and
(4) the chromosomal functions of RNA.

Students will gain a thorough understanding of the essential mechanisms controlling cell division in somatic and reproductive eukaryotic cells and in bacterial cells, and how this guards genome integrity. They will learn about chromatin and chromosome structure and function, including histone modification and DNA methylation, the regulation of gene expression, epigenetics, DNA damage responses and repair, the origin of aneuploidy and chromosome abnormalities, and mechanisms of chromosome-associated RNA function. Students will also cover how changes in these essential activities contribute to ageing, birth defects, fertility problems and diseases such as cancer and arthritis, and how this knowledge can aid drug discovery and other therapeutic approaches.

Outline Of Syllabus

A.       There are twelve lectures given by world-class research scientists in four fundamental areas of molecular cell biology, combined with first hand research and clinical implications/applications:

1.       Five lectures focusing on cell division control in different systems including human/mammalian somatic and reproductive cells, C. elegans, Drosophila and bacterial cells.

2.       Two lectures on chromosome structure (chromatin, centromeres, telomeres) and its control mechanisms, histone modification, DNA methylation and epigenetics, the regulation of the gene expression, and their alterations in human diseases.

3.       Three lectures on DNA damage responses and therapeutic opportunities; telomeres in ageing and cancer; and molecular mechanisms causing aneuploidy and chromosome abnormalities and their clinical significance.

4.       Two lectures focusing on the molecular roles of coding and non-coding RNAs on chromosomes, including maintaining genome integrity and regulating gene expression, and disease relevance.

Eleven lectures will be delivered on campus, and one will be delivered as pre-recorded videos saved online for student access at will. We will also provide on campus present-in-person (PIP) teaching for two sessions on “Critical analysis of papers in the relevant areas of chromosome biology and the cell cycle. Led by faculty members, students in small groups will be given training in critical appraisal by discussing research papers. This will involve looking at the background literature; hypotheses tested; experimental approaches used; quality, interpretation and significance of the results; and the potential for future experiments and research.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module the students should understand and be able to discuss and synthesise knowledge in the following topics in the light of their impact on health and diseases:

1.       Cell cycle control, especially in mitosis and meiosis in different model organisms including molecular mechanisms that establish cell polarity and control asymmetric cell division.

2.       Chromosome structure in terms of chromatin, centromeres and kinetochores, telomeres, and chromosome dynamics in cell cycle, including molecular mechanisms causing aneuploidy and chromosomal abnormalities (translocations, deletions, inversions etc.), their deletion, characterisation and clinical significance.

3. Molecular/structural mechanisms controlling CDK-Cyclin activity, DNA duplication, DNA damage responses and relevant therapeutic opportunities.

4.       Molecular mechanisms of epigenetic signalling pathways including histone modification and DNA methylation, their relevance to cell division and gene expression.

5. Molecular roles of coding and non-coding RNAs on chromosomes, including in maintaining genome integrity and regulation gene expression.

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module the students should be able to:

1. Interpret and understand data from the specific scientific areas of chromosome biology and cell cycle control, and a wide range of molecular cell biology and cancer biology literature and present this in the form of a review essay.

2. Critically appraise the current literature in a selected topic within the lecture material and present it in an essay format and graphical abstract.

3. Perform short oral presentations on selected topics from the taught components of the course.

4. Communicate ideas and information on the topic of chromosome biology and cell cycle control to an audience of their peers both orally and in writing.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and understanding are gained from the lectures and seminar/tutorials. Intellectual skills are developed in the tutorials and by the coursework. Key (transferable skills – communication, literacy, critical appraisal) are developed during the tutorials and by the coursework and practiced in the oral presentation and written work (essay).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and understanding of the taught components are assessed in the oral presentation and 600 word synopsis. Skills in writing and literacy, sourcing materials, critical appraisal and use of IT are also assessed in the oral presentation and 600-word synopsis, and separately in the 1500 word essay. Presentation showing IT, literacy active learning and critical appraisal and communication skills are assessed in the short oral presentation. Concise summary of information is assessed in the 600-word synopsis.

The formative graphical abstract writing assignment will aid development of critical appraisal skills, subsequently tested in the summative essay, and requiring focussed identification of salient findings and the ability to succinctly express these in graphical form.

General Notes

Original Handbook text: