Cellular and Molecular Biology

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular and Molecular Biology (basic level).

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodologies in this curricular unit include:
 - lectures.
 - laboratory classes.

Learning Outcomes

The central goal of this curricular unit is the knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that occur in the cytoplasm and organelles of the cells in order to understand how these processes work together and contribute, via inter- and intracellular signaling pathways, to the dynamic functions of the cells and the biological survival of the multicellular.
The program of this unit is developed under the following themes:
i) molecular constitution of the cells;
ii) cellular organelles: structure and dynamic functionality;
iii) synthesis and transport of the cell molecules: maintenance of cell activity;
iv) intercellular communication and signal transduction pathways;
v) mechanisms of cell division, proliferation and differentiation: cell cycle control.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures
1. Cell structure and function
2. Intracellular compartments: synthesis and transport of molecules inside the cells
3. Structure and function of the cellular organelles
4. Cell-to-cell signaling.
Intercellular signaling in animals: signaling molecules and receptors.
Intracellular signal transduction.
5. Cell division and differentiation: cell cycle control
Laboratory Classes
1. Microscopy
2. DNA isolation, separation and visualization from tissues and cells
3. Proteins identification in eukaryotic cells
4. Enzymatic activity evaluation in cellular extracts
5. Isolation of cells from tissues: primary cell culture
6. Cell Culture and handling
7. Evaluation of cell death and survival: in vitro studies
8. Study of cell signaling pathways activation in culturing cell lines
9. Intracellular localization of macromolecules by immunofluorescence microscopy
10. Cell cycle evaluation by flow cytometry
11. Study of the human karyotype.

Head Lecturer(s)

Armanda Emanuela Castro Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Theoretical component (70%): written exam and Laboratory component (30%): written exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Bibliografia Principal/ Bibliography:
Bruce Alberts et al., “Molecular Biology of the Cell”. Garland Publishing, Inc., 5th edition.
Geoffrey Cooper and Robert Hausman. “The Cell: a molecular approach”. ASM Press 6th edition.
Junqueira L.C. e Carneiro J. “Biologia Celular e Molecular”. Guanabara Koogan, 9ª ed.
Bibliografia complementar/ Complement Bibliography:
Lodish et al.,”Molecular Cell Biology”. Harvey Scientific American books, 4th edition.
Informação científica e didática em artigos nacionais e internacionais / Lecture notes or articles will be supplied whenever needed.