PAC2161 - Cell function, communication and pathology

Leader(s): Dr Sab Ventura

Offered

Parkville First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

Students will be introduced to various biological mechanisms regulating cell growth both during embryogenesis and in adult. Examples of abnormal cell growth and how this leads to disease states, such as cancer will be discussed. Pharmacotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of such diseases will also be discussed. This unit will also provide a foundation of basic pharmacological knowledge of how the somatic and autonomic nervous system and various endocrine and local hormone systems are modified in disease conditions. In particular, this unit will teach the pharmacology of drugs used to treat various disorders affecting cell growth and development, the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will be expected to be able to:

1. Differentiate between the basic molecular-genetic mechanisms by which cells are regulated in a multicellular organism;
2. Describe the special properties inherent to stem cells or specialized cells;
3. Understand the ways in which cell control is disrupted in diseases such as cancer;
4. Diagnose a disorder by examination of signs and symptoms;
5. Relate modifications of physiological and molecular mechanisms to the observed disorder and describe the role of receptor activation and intracellular signalling in normal and abnormal cellular function;
6. Describe the pharmacological mechanisms of the drugs used to treat the disorders.

Assessment

on-going assessments: 20%; practical/tutorial work:10%; examination (2 hours): 70%

Contact hours

34 1 hour lectures, one 1 hour tutorial, one 3 hour computer-aided learning class and two 3 hour practical classes

Prerequisites

PAC1111 Introduction to physiology (or VCP1081 Physiology I)
PAC1132 Systems physiology (or VCP1082 Physiology II)

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support