Molecular Cell Biology

The main goal of the course is for the student to develop an understanding of how knowledge in molecular cell biology is obtained through experimental approaches; an aim particularly important and appropriate close to the point of the bachelor project. This objective is reached through discussion of selected aspects of molecular cell biology, many of which deal with the changes taking place in cancer cells. Through discussion of experiments and their results, by in-debt evaluation of primary data from publications, as well as de-novo interpretation of presented data, the student is expected to obtain the ability to demonstrate specific knowledge, to read, understand and follow the validity of conclusions from experimental data from primary scientific literature, and use this knowledge when planning and interpreting experiments.

Knowledge:

Students can identify, describe, and name specific research areas including different experimental and theoretical approaches; can identify a subset of instruments and devices used in molecular and cellular biological experiments.
Students can describe the use of a number of molecular biological techniques; in particular those done at the lab-course, but also methods that combine and exploit known pieces in new combinations.

Skills:

Based on protocols for laboratory experiments, the student can carry out experiments and assess results.
Based on presented experimental results, the student can argue for the conclusions drawn, point out important controls, compare results from different conditions and evaluate them.
Based on original research literature, posed problems and experience with laboratory exercises, the student can explain the purpose of specific experiments, the materials used in experimental designs, the procedures involved and the format of results obtained. The student can use a subset of instruments and devices used in molecular and cellular biological experiments and explain results obtained, and will have first hand experience of generation of primary data.

Competences:

Students can use obtained and already acquired knowledge within molecular biology to understand the use of, limitations of, and interpretation of, results from experiments and methods within molecular biology.
Students

• can assess the importance of the activity of proteins in detail, in relation to molecular cell biology and how these activities can be affected by mutations, other proteins, as well as other activities, and the consequences of such influences
• can evaluate the detailed description of an experimental protocol, and can form conclusions from primary as well as derived data
• can evaluate which results from experiments are solid, important and significant
• can recognize controls in the experiments, and understand which parameters these control for
• can understand the experimental background for the conclusions drawn in original research papers dealing with molecular cell biology topics
• can understand the importance of and carry out quantitative calculations as used in the laboratory-course or illustrated in class.