CCNY
Spring 2015
BIO425: Cancer Biology
Syllabus
Instructor
Maria Theodoraki, PhD
Office Location: Marshak, Room 713 or 719
Office Phone: 212-650-7029
E-mail:
mtheodoraki@ccny.cuny.edu
Office hours: Fridays by appointment
Course Location and Time
Marshak Building, Room 702
Friday 12:00 – 2:45 PM
Course Description
The course is designed to give a complete overview of cancer as a disease. Introduce students to a detailed analysis of
biological changes of the tumor cells. Analyze the impact of the cell cycle (proliferation), gene mutations and apoptosis in
cancer. Discuss the process of metastasis and the impact applied/translational research has had in cancer diagnosis as
well as the design of novel targeted therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer. Review important scientific
contributions from the literature.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course you will gain an in-depth understanding of the alterations in molecular and cellular processes
during tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastasis. Understand the current treatment approaches and the
complexities and challenges that modern cancer research is facing and trying to address. Develop and/or hone skills on
critical reading, analysis and evaluation of scientific literature.
Course Requirements
Attendance is mandatory, as this course has a significant participation component. I do expect active participation (not
just attendance), students should be answering and asking questions, provide comments and suggest extra topics to be
covered and/or discussed. Pop-quizzes based on material covered in the previous lecture will count as extra credit for the
next exam. The grades will be calculated from three exams, two oral group presentations and class participation that will
be based on overall standing in the class and discussion of journal articles provided by the instructor and presented by the
students. More info on the oral presentations will be given during class and posted on Blackboard. No makeup exams
will be given.
Grading
3 exams (70%)
2 oral presentations (20%)
Class participation (10%)
Academic Honesty
The CCNY policy on academic integrity can be found at http://web.cuny.edu/academics/info-central/policies/academicintegrity.pdf and will be followed. Cases where academic integrity is compromised i.e. cheating during exams, will be
prosecuted according to these rules and can lead to failing the class, suspension and/or expulsion from the college.
Textbook and Course Materials
Weinberg, R.A. (2013), The Biology of Cancer, Garland Science
All Powerpoint lecture presentations and invited talks will be available as PDF files on BlackBoard.
During the course we will also study review and research papers that will be announced and posted on Blackboard by the
instructor.
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CCNY
Spring 2015
BIO425: Cancer Biology
Tentative Course Schedule: (May change to accommodate guest presenters and students needs)
Date
January 30th
February 6th
February 13th
February 20th
February 27th
March 6th
March 13th
March 20th
March 27th
April 3rd
April 10th
April 17th
April 24th
May 1st
May 8th
May 15th
May 22nd
Topic
What is cancer?
Overview, Biology and Genetics
Multistep tumorigenesis
Paper discussion
What are the causes of cancer?
Tumor viruses and oncogenes
Tumor suppressors
Paper discussion
Review for Exam 1
Exam 1
Growth factors, receptors and cell signaling
Cellular basis of cancer
pRb and cell cycle control
Group 1 presentations
p53 and apoptosis
Group 2 presentations
Cell immortalization and tumorigenesis
Review for Exam 2
Exam 2
Genomic integrity and cancer
Spring break
Spring break
Invited talk
Angiogenesis
Metastasis
Group 1 presentations
Tumor immunology
Group 2 presentations
Therapeutic approaches
Drug design and treatment
Invited talk
Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM @ 10:30 AM -12:45 PM
2
Chapters
1, 2
11
3, 4
7
5, 6
8
9
10
12
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14
15
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