BMD2021 : Protein Trafficking: Mechanisms and Roles in Disease (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jeremy Brown
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Christina Elliott
- 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 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aims of this module are to:
Provide an understanding of key aspects of membrane structure and dynamics and the physical constraints of the membrane environment.
Explore protein targeting to and transport across or insertion into the membrane of bacterial cells and the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells.
Discuss the targeting and insertion of proteins into other key eukaryotic cellular organelles including mitochondria and peroxisomes.
Provide information on vesicle-mediated protein trafficking between organelles as well as to and from the cell surface, and to explore recurrent themes in these processes.
Discuss protein folding, assembly and modification that occurs within the secretory pathway and how these affect trafficking and localisation of proteins.
Provide examples of function of membrane and membrane-associated protein complexes and how dysfunction in folding and localisation of proteins cause disease states.
Outline Of Syllabus
Topics covered by this module include:
The concepts of compartmentalisation within eukaryotic cells
Biological membranes including different types of membrane, e.g. viral, bacterial, archeal, sub-cellular and cellular
Recognition, targeting and translocation of membrane proteins and proteins that are imported into cellular organelles / secreted from the cell
How membrane and secreted proteins are synthesised, sorted and transported to the correct destinations
The function of specific membrane and membrane-associated protein complexes.
Experimental approaches used in studying protein trafficking.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Preparation for timed essay and paper interpretation exercise |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:15 | 1:15 | Timed essay and paper interpretation exercise |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Preparation for experimental approaches workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Scientific paper interpretation workshop including opportunity for formative practice and feedback |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Experimental approaches workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Feedback session |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 143:45 | 143:45 | Writing up lecture notes, revision, general reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures will introduce and build upon previous exposure to the concepts in the learning outcomes. The workshops support the timed summative assessment (timed essay and paper interpretation) and final exam. The feedback session will be used to discuss the timed essay and paper interpretation exercise.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 60 | In person invigilated exam, comprising 3 questions. Closed book. Students must answer a compulsory question on experimental design/problem solving and one from a choice of 2 essays. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 40 | In person invigilated open-book timed essay based on 2-3 papers given prior plus PIE style SAQ (max 5 questions) on one of the papers, 90 mins total. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | Students develop an approach to investigating a preliminary finding during the experimental approaches workshop. This will be submitted after the workshop and formative feedback provided as part of the preparation for the end of module exam. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written in person exams tests knowledge across the module as well as the ability of students to solve problems in experimental design related to membrane function and protein trafficking.
The timed essay tests application of knowledge, understanding and critical evaluation skills. The paper interpretation exercise-style SAQs will test the ability of students to interpret scientific data and prepare them for similar assessments in 3rd year and for their 3rd year dissertation.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD2021's Timetable