BIO301 Advanced Cell Biology

The course will provide a detailed overview of the essential properties of eukaryotic cells. Examples of malfunctions in cells that can cause disease will be given.

The course is intimately connected to UN's sustainable development goals, particularly Goal #3: Good health and well-being. The goal is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. To reach this goal, there is also a need to develop innovative treatment options such as new drugs. Such developments require deep knowledge into biological processes of cells.

The following topics are covered:

• The cell's integrity, shape and subcellular compartments (organelles)
• The cytoskeleton
• Intracellular transport of proteins and vesicles
• Gene regulation and the sequential path from gene to functional protein
• Intracellular signalling and cell communication
• The cell's life cycle emphasising on the regulation of cell division
• How cells can become cancerous
• Development of multicellular organisms
• Stem cells
• Photosynthesis in plants

KNOWLEDGE

The students should be able to identify and understand crucial elements in a cell that determine its unique function and role in a eukaryot organism, with emphasis on mammalian cells.

SKILLS

Students will acquire skills and knowledge that contributes to their ability to comprehend scientific literature and formulate relevant hypotheses in cell biology.

GENERAL COMPETENCE

Students should be able to use the competence as basis for further studies and work in biological disciplines including food science, biotechnology, veterinary medicine, domestic animal science, aquaculture, food industry, biomedicine and nutrition.