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-- SYLLABUS FOR SPRING QUARTER 2008-2009

In future years this course will be offered in WINTER QUARTER (beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year).

Two lectures per week ( 2:15-3:45 Tu/Th in Room M114, School of Medicine )

One assigned discussion section (90 min TBA) per week either on Friday or Monday.

Week 1

Lecture 1

31-Mar

Course Mechanics; Biology of Cancer

Lecture 2

2-Apr

Carcinogens, Retroviruses, and Viral Oncogenes

Section

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

Week 2

Lecture 3

7-Apr

Cellular (Non-Viral) Oncogenes

Lecture 4

9-Apr

Tyrosine Kinases

Section

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

Week 3

Lecture 5

14-Apr

RAS Pathway

Lecture 6

16-Apr

Chromosome Translocations and Transgenic Mice

Section

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

Week 4

Lecture 7

21-Apr

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Lecture 8

23-Apr

RB and Cell Cycle Control

Section

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

Week 5

Lecture 9

28-Apr

P53, DNA Damage, and Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Lecture 10

30-Apr

Multistep Carcinogenesis

Section

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

Midterm Exam (take home; problem-based)

Week 6

Lecture 11

5-May

Cell Growth and Cancer

Lecture 12

7-May

Apoptosis and Cancer

Section

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

Week 7

Lecture 13

12-May

Nuclear Receptors , Epigenetics, and Cancer

Lecture 14

14-May

Telomeres, Stem Cells, and Cancer

Section

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

Week 8

Lecture 15

19-May

Genetics of Human Colon Cancer

Lecture 16

21-May

Hypoxia and Angiogenesis

Section

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

Week 9

Lecture 17

26-May

Invasion and Metastasis

Lecture 18

28-May

Cancer Therapies, Old and New

Section

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

Week 10

Lecture 1 9

2-Jun

Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention

Final Exam (take home; problem-based)

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