BIOCHEM 3235 - Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III (Biomed Sc)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This Capstone course combines lectures and tutorials with cutting edge research-based practical exercises. The lecture material covers major conceptual and technical advances in this field, focussing on two principle themes: 1. Molecular Basis of Cancer: topics include the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell communication, signal transduction pathways, genetic mutations, oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, clonal selection, the hallmarks of cancer and metastasis, dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints, DNA damage, replicative senescence, telomere shortening and genomic instability, control of cell proliferation and apoptosis, cancer-specific metabolism and oncometabolites. Specific examples are included of current of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer. 2. Stem Cells and Development: topics include the embryonic and adult stem cells, cellular reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), generation of transgenic/knock-out mice using CRISPR/Cas9 and other techniques, with medical and other applications. Finally, the topics of cell differentiation, neurogenesis and exploring neural circuits will be covered. The practical component involves a research-based practical project using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the first seven weeks of the semester to complement the lecture material, with problem-based learning exercises where theoretical knowledge is applied to solve practical biomedical problems in the final five weeks of the semester.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOCHEM 3235
    Course Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III (Biomed Sc)
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week, 3 x 5 hour practical per fortnight or PBL for the semester (total 11.5 hrs/week)
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites BIOCHEM 2500 & BIOCHEM 2501
    Incompatible BIOCHEM 3001, BIOCHEM 3520
    Restrictions Available to BSc (Biomedical Science) students only
    Course Description This Capstone course combines lectures and tutorials with cutting edge research-based practical exercises. The lecture material covers major conceptual and technical advances in this field, focussing on two principle themes:
    1. Molecular Basis of Cancer: topics include the molecular mechanisms of cell-cell communication, signal transduction pathways, genetic mutations, oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes, clonal selection, the hallmarks of cancer and metastasis, dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoints, DNA damage, replicative senescence, telomere shortening and genomic instability, control of cell proliferation and apoptosis, cancer-specific metabolism and oncometabolites. Specific examples are included of current of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer.
    2. Stem Cells and Development: topics include the embryonic and adult stem cells, cellular reprogramming and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), generation of transgenic/knock-out mice using CRISPR/Cas9 and other techniques, with medical and other applications. Finally, the topics of cell differentiation, neurogenesis and exploring neural circuits will be covered.

    The practical component involves a research-based practical project using CRISPR/Cas9 technology in the first seven weeks of the semester to complement the lecture material, with problem-based learning exercises where theoretical knowledge is applied to solve practical biomedical problems in the final five weeks of the semester.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Dan Peet

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Understand key theoretical aspects of the regulation of cellular signalling, proliferation and differentiation in the context of embryonic development, stem cells and diseases such as cancer.
    2 Understand and apply advanced experimental techniques required to solve specific biochemical problems, and understand of the ethical implications of this research.
    3 Plan, perform, interpret, and quantitatively analyse biomedical research using a variety of modern experimental techniques
    4 Find, interpret and critically analyse relevant scientific literature and apply it to specific problems in biomedical research.
    5 Work in teams and communicate scientific outcomes
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    3, 4, 5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4, 5, 6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    5, 6

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    6

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    3, 4, 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4, 6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Laboratory coat, safety glasses and closed shoes.
    Recommended Resources
    Text book: Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edn) by Alberts et al., 2008, Published by Garland Science
    Online Learning
    Resource material such as lecture, tutorial, practical and past exams will be available on Myuni.Online assessment will be conducted via Myuni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    3 Lectures of 1 hour each per week.

    1 Tutorial of 1 hour per week developing material covered in lectures. The lecturer takes the tutorial classes for their section.

    1 Practical of 15 hours per fortnight. (Odd weeks = 5 hours & Even weeks = 10 hour duration) in the first seven weeks of the semester.

    The stacked / same time teaching components are the lectures, tutorials and practicals timetabled with the existing course, Cancer, Stem Cells and Development III (BIOCHEM 3001).9

    PBL/Tutorial sessions of 5 hours in the final five weeks of the semester (practical timetable).

    3 online multiple choice tests of 1 hour duration per semester (weeks 5, 9 and 12, with immediate feedback provided).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).



    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Mechanisms of Epigenetic Cellular Memory Lecture
    Week 2 Cell Signalling Pathways Lecture
    Week 3 Signalling Domains: Structure and Function Lecture
    Week 4 Signalling Domains: Structure and Function Lecture
    Week 5 Cancer and metabolism Lecture
    Week 6 Cancer molecular biology Lecture
    Week 7 Cancer molecular biology Lecture
    Week 8 mTOR signalling in cancer Lecture
    Week 9 Cancer, the immune system and immunotherapy                Lecture
    Week 10 Stem cells/CRISPR technology Lecture
    Week 11 Cell Differentiation/Neurogenesis Lecture
    Week 12 In vitro production of neurons and exploring neuronal circuits Lecture
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Online practical exercise Summative

    Week 4

    6% 3, 4, 5
    Online MCQ Formative/summative

    Week 5

    1.7% 1, 2
    Written test on lecture material Summative

    Week 6

    20% 1, 2, 3
    Practical report Summative Week 7 12% 3, 4, 5
    Online MCQ Formative/summative Week 9 1.7% 1, 2
    Problem - based learning exercises Formative/summative Week 12 12% 2, 4, 5
    Online MCQ Summative/formative Week 12 1.7% 1, 2
    Written exam on lecture material Summative Week 14 45% 1,2, 3
    Assessment Detail
    Online practical exercise (6% of total course grade): Design of tools for CRISPR, including gRNAs, PCR primers, antibodies etc. during allotted practical sessions.

    Mid-semester test (20% of total course grade): A 1 hour written test held in week 6, covering the first 4 weeks of lecture material, short and long answer type questions.

    Online multiple choice quizzes (5% of total course grade): Three multiple choice tests in weeks 5, 9 and 12 . Encourages revision of the material soon after the relevant lectures, and immediate feedbackprovided to students.

    Practical performance and report (12% of total course grade): The seven week long practical exercise will include experimental work, keeping an up to date laboratory notebook, and a final poster presentation in week 7.
    Outstanding students may have the option of a laboratory-based research project in place of the practical exercise.
     
    Problem-based learniong exercise  (12% of total course grade): Students will complete problem-based learning exercises, using current research problems in biomedical research, with small group oral presentations for assessment.

    End of semester written exam: (45% of total course grade) – 2.5 hour written examination covering the
    lecture material, short and long answer type questions.
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted,then a penalty for late submission
    will apply.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Provision of Feedback to Students
    The assessor usually provides appropriate feedback of assessment tasks to the student by means of
    written comments. The student has the opportunity to directly liaise with the assessor to obtain additional feedback and clarification if required.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.