Course Description
Although cancer has multiple causes, at the fundamental level it involves genetic alterations leading to the loss of normal controls on cell division and growth. This course will examine the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of oncogenesis, primarily in humans with some animal models.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will take the same exams as undergraduates,
but in addition will be required to write an integrated and
critical review of a topic in cancer genetics that is based on
the primary research literature.
Athena Title
Cancer Genetics
Prerequisite
(GENE 3200-3200D or GENE 3200H) and (BCMB 3100 or BCMB 3100E or BCMB 4010/6010)
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Most of this course will be focused on reading of primary research papers and in-class discussion of the overarching hypotheses, methods, results, and implications of the research. Introductory material and background to research papers will be provided in lectures by the instructor, with assigned readings from selected chapters of textbooks and review articles. At the completion of this course, successful students will have developed a strong foundation in multiple aspects of cancer genetics for continued medical studies and/or research in biomedical sciences.
Topical Outline
The nature of cancer cells - types of cancer and their histology, energy metabolism, immortalization, tumor growth Environmental mutagens and cancer Tumor viruses and viral oncogenes Cellular oncogenes Growth factors, receptors, and cancer Tumor suppressor genes Loss of cell cycle control in cancer cells Invasion and metastasis of cancer cells Genomic instability of cancer cells Cancer epigenetics Genetic alterations in common cancers - breast, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, melanoma, liver, lung, pancreatic, leukemia, and lymphomas Cancer genomes Transposon mediated forward genetic screens to identify candidate cancer genes Tumor immunology and immunotherapy Biomarkers and therapeutic treatments of cancer
Syllabus