Cellular Metabolism and Disease (BCMB30011)

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject the student should be able to:

• Describe the molecular basis of how humans handle nutrients via metabolism and compare these with disease states
• Explain the mechanisms and consequences of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, and in neurons and immune cells in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions
• Describe how the emerging field of metabolomics (the study of a range of metabolites in a cell or tissue) is being applied as a diagnostic tool, including a consideration of ethical issues such as study design, sample collection and data usage
• Explain how targeting critical events in metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells as the therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment
• Analyse experimental data to detect changes in metabolism
• Critically analyse of the current scientific literature on metabolomics and metabolic reprogramming in diseases.

Generic skills

Students will be provided with the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, particularly through researching a relevant topic and preparing a 1000-word essay assignment. They will learn to apply theoretical principles to the explanation of observations and acquire skills in time management.