 | |
| GBIO0003-1 | Molecular and cellular physiology
 |
|
| Duration : | 30h Th, 30h Pr |
|
| Credits/ECTS : |
|
|
| Holder(s) : | Pierre Robe |
|
| Language : | Langue française |
|
| Course contents : | The efficiency of organisms, from their cells to their behaviour, depends on the precise coordination of the numerous biochemical and biophysical processes that occur between them and their reaction adapted to the constraints of the environment.
At a cellular and molecular level, a relatively fixed biological infrastructure co-exists, exercising its basic functions (production of available energy, motility, production and renewal of cellular components, cell division, etc.) and essential - though not exclusively - protein structures that act as receptors, transducers, effectors and signalling intermediaries. It is this 'control layer' that is responsible for co-ordinating cellular functions and adapting them to the environment, as well as allowing the integration of various cells into organisms that are capable of responding to the external environment.
Physiology is the study of the adjustments, adaptations and controls of living organisms. Cellular and Molecular Physiology studies these processes in terms of the organisms' (the cell) basic biological unit and its molecular 'control layer'.
The importance of these controls in the harmonious functioning and the very existence of living organisms is illustrated in man by the numerous pathologies that result from their dysfunctions: abnormal cellular death in forms of dementia such Alzheimer's disease, proliferation and abnormal invasion of cancerous cells, deregulation of energy flows (in particular) in diabetes for instance.
The course is composed of 11 sections:
- Introduction: cellular organisation
- Relationship between structure and protein function
- Principles of signal transduction
- Secondary messengers
- Main receptors of extracellular signals
- Membranes and solutions: flows and electric potentials
- Muscular contraction
- The cellular cycle
- Apoptosis
- Control of cell number and size
- Signalling in the immune system |
|
| Course objective : | The aim of course GBIO0003-1 is to introduce the currently known principle mechanisms of cell regulation processes, and to show that their integration in functional control networks. This introduction is necessary for a good understanding of the Physiology of Systems course (GBIO0004-1) and the Introduction to Neurosciences (GBIO0005-1). The entire module is fundamental for future biomedical engineers, whose profession will especially consist of developing instruments to measure these processes and their dysfunctions, and the systems capable of overcoming their deficiencies. |
|
| Workshops : | The practical work associated with the GBIO0003-1 course consists of an analytical piece of work carried out in small groups (one to three people):
- a physiological process whose deficit is relevant in human clinical studies;
- existing medical and 'engineerable' solutions;
- limits to these current solutions;
- current research pathways.
This analysis is based on reading articles from English-language reviews, personal research on the (computer) tools available and possible expert conferences. It leads to summary in English including a personal proposal for an area of research and development in this domain |
|
| Organization : | 1st quadrimester. |
|
| Written notes : | A complete, illustrated syllabus is given to students in PDF format, chapter by chapter as the course proceeds. It is reviewed and updated every year.
Slide shows and short animations used in class are given to students at the end of each lesson in PPT, Flash and QuickTime format. |
|
| Assessment : | The assessment is written, in the form of open questions and takes place during the January session (end of quadrimester). Fifteen percent of the mark is however attributed to the summary that accompanies the practical work.
A second assessment session, according to the same written conditions (the mark for the practical work is carried over), is organised in the third quadrimester (August-September session) for students who failed the first assessment.
Past papers are available on the website for students in this section. |
|
| Remarks : | The oral classes are taught in French, though some parts are taught in English |
|
|
| |
