Cancer Biology (CBIO101)

Experimental approaches to understanding the origins, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Focus on key experiments and discoveries with emphasis on genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology.  Not just "what we know", but rather "how we know what we think we know".  Topics covered include carcinogens, tumor virology, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, cancer genomics, cancer epidemiology, and cancer therapy.  The course is designed for upper level undergraduates majoring in Biological Sciences or Human Biology.

Lectures supplemented by weekly discussion sections based on primary research articles that describe key experiments in the field.

Prerequisites: BIOSCI 41/42, HUMBIO core, or equivalent.

Recommended Textbook: "The Biology of Cancer" by Robert Weinberg (Garland Science).

Note:  Biosciences graduate students and medical students interested in cancer biology should take CBIO241 instead of this undergraduate course.

CANCER BIOLOGY 101-- PROVISIONAL SYLLABUS FOR WINTER QUARTER 2011

Two lectures per week ( 2:15-3:45 Tu/Th in Room M106, Alway Building, School of Medicine )
One assigned discussion section (90 min TBA) per week either on Friday or Monday.

Week 1

Lecture 1

4-Jan

Course Mechanics; Biology of Cancer

Lecture 2

6-Jan

Carcinogens, Retroviruses, and Viral Oncogenes

Section

Stehelin D, et al (1976) Nature 260: 170-3.

Week 2

Lecture 3

11-Jan

Cellular (Non-Viral) Oncogenes

Lecture 4

13-Jan

Tyrosine Kinases

Section

Lowenstein EJ, et al (1992) Cell 70: 431-42.

Week 3

Lecture 5

18-Jan

RAS Pathway

Lecture 6

20-Jan

Chromosome Translocations and Transgenic Mice

Section

Haupt Y, et al (1991). Cell 65: 753-63

Week 4

Lecture 7

25-Jan

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Lecture 8

27-Jan

RB and Cell Cycle Control

Section

Cavenee WK, et al (1983). Nature 305: 779-84.

Week 5

Lecture 9

1-Feb

P53, DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Lecture 10

3-Feb

Multistep Carcinogenesis

Section

Donehower, et al. (1992). Nature 356: 215 - 221.

Midterm Exam (take home; problem-based)

Week 6

Lecture 11

8-Feb

Cell Growth and Cancer

Lecture 12

10-Feb

Apoptosis and Cancer

Section

Vaux DL et al (1988) Nature 335: 440-2.

Week 7

Lecture 13

15-Feb

Nuclear Receptors and Cancer

Lecture 14

17-Feb

Telomeres, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Section

Quintana, et al (2008) Nature 456: 593 - 599.

Week 8

Lecture 15

22-Feb

Human Colon Cancer: Genetics and Epigenetics

Lecture 16

24-Feb

Hypoxia and Angiogenesis

Section

van de Wetering M, et al (2002) Cell 111: 241-50.

Week 9

Lecture 17

1-Mar

Invasion and Metastasis

Lecture 18

3-Mar

Cancer Therapies, Old and New

Section

Lynch TJ, et al (2004) N Engl J Med 350: 2129-39.

Week 10

Lecture 19

8-Mar

Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention

Optional in-class review session on March 10.

Final Exam (take home; problem-based)

Grading: 40% discussion section participation; 30% midterm; 30% final exam.