MMB8059 : Metabolism in Health and Disease
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Thomas Nicholls
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Catherine Arden
- Lecturer: Dr Tiago Bernardino Gomes, Dr Oliver Russell, Mrs Ayat Bashir, Professor Quentin Anstee, Dr Katja Menger, Professor Bobby McFarland, Professor James Shaw, Professor Laura Greaves, Dr Nicole Kattner
- 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 | |
Aims
The module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of metabolism in health and disease, reflecting the academic expertise within Newcastle University. This will include detailed information on specific metabolic pathways including the biochemistry of glucose metabolism and the role of mitochondria in cellular metabolism. The module will also provide clinical and therapeutic details on diseases related to metabolic dysregulation including mitochondrial diseases, diabetes (type 1, type 2 and type 3c), cancer, and Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).
Outline Of Syllabus
The taught component of the module is delivered through lectures, small group teaching and workshops and will cover key metabolic pathways and associated diseases. The module will cover a wide range of topics including the basic biochemistry of metabolism where students will be given a detailed understanding of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS); other metabolic functions of mitochondria; mitochondrial genetics and blood glucose homeostasis in the fed and fasted state. The module will also provide detailed descriptions of diseases associated with disrupted metabolism including diseases of glucose metabolism: type 1 diabetes, type 3c disease; metabolic syndromes: type 2 diabetes, metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease; Mitochondrial diseases: Adult mitochondrial disease and Paediatric mitochondrial disease; and metabolic alterations in cancer. These sessions will cover the underlying metabolic disturbances of these diseases as well as clinical and therapeutic details.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 37:00 | 37:00 | Student Preparation time for Oral presentation assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Formative MCQ |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Non-synchronous additional material online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Timed Essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 67:00 | 67:00 | Preparation for timed essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 34:00 | 34:00 | Making notes and reading from lectures and other sources |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Present in person (PIP): Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Present in person: Oral presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Group discussions to facilitate oral presentations on critical appraisal of research paper |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Reading and Reflective Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Identifying relevant research papers that are not on the reading list or suggested in presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): Intro to module and revision session |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The interactive small group teaching and workshops will provide the students with current specialist knowledge to complement with independent learning. They will also encourage students to reflect upon and question their learning both individually and in groups, providing a basis for critical appraisal, innovative thinking and original thought. The assessments will develop communication, literacy and critical appraisal skills. There is adequate time for reading and reflection built into the module and students will be guided (in lectures and seminars) to find appropriate and up-to-date sources as well as being encouraged to find their own sources for relevant information. All of these activities relate directly to the learning outcomes above.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 180 | 1 | A | 60 | Online Inspera, in-person open-book essay (3 hours) detailing the current state of knowledge of a particular topic relevant to the module. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 40 | Present in person Individual Presentation: 10 minutes & 5 for questions on a current research paper. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 1 hour MCQ - 50 questions |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The essay tests the student’s knowledge base, comprehension, ability to discuss the subject knowledge critically and their ability to evaluate scientific literature.
The summative oral presentation is based on appraisal of scientific literature, and tests application of knowledge, understanding, and ability to critically assess and interpret scientific work. These activities will also assess generic skills of oral communication and presentation.
The formative MCQ allows the students to appreciate how much they have understood and taken in across the whole course.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8059's Timetable