Cellular and Molecular Biology

10th and 11th grade biology.

The theoretical contents of the curricular unit will be presented through lectures, illustrated whenever possible with practical case-studies (PBL-Problem-based learning) in which students are encouraged to apply the competences acquired.
In the theoretical-practical framework, the application of acquired contents will be promoted. Students will develop bibliographical research work, promoting critical capacity, autonomy and scientific communication.

The student must acquire knowledge:

1. To have a Holistic understanding of the cell’s functioning, to identify of the organelles, and relate structure/function;
2. To understand the importance of the interactions drug-cell target;
3. To understand the processes of cell death;
4. To know analytical methodologies for the characterization of nucleic acids and proteins;

At the end of this curricular unit, students should be able to:

• Globally understand the cell functioning (eucaryotic cell), know the cellular organelles, identify their relevance and the relationship structure-function;
• Understand the mode of action of drugs versus the respective cellular targets;
• Choose the analytical molecular technique for a specific purpose;
• Identify and explain functional contexts, their implications and possible ways of pharmacological intervention.

The student should acquire the expertise to:

• Mobilize knowledge for the interrelation of cell biology with applications in pharmacy and biomedicin
• Undertake advanced search in databases of scientific literature and critically review it.

Theoretical Matrix

A- THE CELL

• Review of fundamental concepts

B – NUCLEUS

C- CELL MEMBRANE

• Organization, function and composition;
• Specializations;
• Types of cellular transport and communication
• Transporters as cellular targets of pharmacological therapy;
• Nanotechnology in drug delivery
  

D- CYTOPLASM/CYTOSKELETON

• Structure/function
• Cellular transport and communication – signaling
• Cytoskeletal targets in pharmacological therapy

E – ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM

• Structure/function; RER and SER;
• Golgi apparatus; Lysosomes;
• Protein synthesis and targeting (UPR and ERAD)

F- MITOCHONDRIA

• Structure/function

G- CELL DEATH PROCESSES

• Cellular targets in pharmacological therapy

H- CENTRAL DOGMA OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

• Regulation of gene expression – nucleic acids versus proteins – therapeutic targets

I – ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGIES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

• Characterization of nucleic acids and proteins

J- GENE THERAPY

• CRISPR-Cas9 system
• Viral vectors
• Non-viral vectors
• Medicinal products and clinical trials

K – BIOINFORMATICS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

• Discovery of new drugs

TP Matrix

• Research, analysis, oral presentation, discussion and assessment of case studies/scientific articles in the field of Cellular and Molecular Biology applied to Pharmacy

Evaluation according to the Academic Regulation of ESTESC:

PERIODIC ASSESSMENT:
Theoretical (60%): two individual written tests (30% each). Minimum classification of 7,5 in the first test to have admission to the second one. Minimum 9,5 out of 20.
Theoretical-practical framework (40%): critical analysis, discussion and oral presentation of a selected scientific paper or case-study (40%)
Final Approval with a minimum classification of 9.5 out of 20.

Assessment by EXAM:

Theoretical (60%) and Theoretical-practical (40%) content assessed by a written exam. May include questions based on excerpts from scientific papers.

Approval with a minimum classification of 9.5 out of 20.

NAO