Bi1500 Tumor biology for non-biologists - Cell Philosophy

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Recommended Type of Completion: k (colloquium). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Jana Šmardová, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Jana Šmardová, CSc.
Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. RNDr. Jana Šmardová, CSc.
Supplier department: Department of Experimental Biology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 17:00–18:50 B11/132
Prerequisites
High-school knowledge of essential cell biology.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
Multicellular organism represents a system composed of cells that interact and cooperate with each other. The lectures of the course aim to clarify the specific attributes of tumors to focus the attention of listeners to some of important principles determining functions of healthy multicellular organisms. This will be the starting point for looking for parallels and extrapolations of these principles and their validity in other systems, such as in human society. We are going to think together, whether human beings, similarly as tumor cells, are capable of breaking these rules in dangerous and self-destructing way. To attend the course, only basic knowledge (high-school level) of biology and effort to think and understand are required. To pass the course successfully and get two credits, the students have to participate in the talks regularly and write short essay. In this essay, the student is supposed to interconnect the theme of the course with his/her own field of study and personal experience.
Learning outcomes
Detailed understanding of tumors and their general features provide deeper insight into principles and rules that have to be followed by cells to create functional and healthy multicellular organisms. It becomes an inspiration for looking for parallels and extrapolations of these principles in everyday life.
Syllabus
  • cell philosophy
  • multicellular organisms as a system
  • regulation of cell division
  • cell death
  • cell immortality
  • tumor nutrition
  • metastasis formation
  • genetic instability - the rules of coexistence
  • two views on tumor development – the role of microenvironment
  • intercellular communication
  • multicellular organisms II
  • tumor as a principle
Literature
    recommended literature
  • WEINBERG, Robert A. Jediná odrodilá buňka : jak vzniká rakovina. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2003, 156 s. ISBN 8020010718. info
  • WEINBERG, Robert A. The biology of cancer. Second edition. London: Garland Science, 2013, xx, 876. ISBN 9780815345282. info
Teaching methods
lectures – disscussions
Assessment methods
regular attendance of the course, written assay
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2020, autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2019, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2019/Bi1500