UTPA STEM/CBI Courses/Cancer Biology

Course Title: Cell Biology

Lecture Topic: Cell Signalling pathways in Cancer

Instructor: Jonathan Lieman

Institution: University of Texas Pan American

Backwards Design

Course Objectives

• Primary Objectives- By the next class period students will be able to:
  • Identify important genes that are commonly disrupted in tumorgenesis
  • Identify the relationship between genes and their role in regulation of the cell cycle
  • Identify key events in tumorgenesis

• Sub Objectives- The objectives will require that students be able to:
  • Understand the importance of the Rb/E2F Pathway in tumorgenesis
  • Know the relationship and importance between cell proliferation and cell death in the cell

• Difficulties- Students may have difficulty:
  • Understanding that genes that also control cell proliferation may also control cell death
  • Understanding the relationship between a diverse array of signaling pathways

• Real-World Contexts- There are many ways that students can use this material in the real-world, such as:
  • Understanding how drugs target tumors
  • Understand how mutations in key genes can lead to cancer

Model of Knowledge

• Concept Map
  • Control of cell proliferation and cell death in tumorgenesis
  • The Rb/E2F Pathway
    • Tumor suppressor proteins
      • Rb
      • p53
      • p21
      • P16
    • Control over cell proliferation
    • Control over apoptosis
      • Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathways
      • Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathways
  • Integrins, Cytokines, growth factors
    • Receptors
    • Cell Signaling
    • Ras Map Kinase Pathway
    • Cyclin/Cdk activity

• Content Priorities
  • Enduring Understanding
    • How is the cell cycle controlled
    • What is the relationship in the cell cycle between cell Proliferation and cell death
    • How does a single cell progress into a tumor
  • Important to Do and Know
    • What is a tumor suppressor gene? What are some important ones?
    • What is an oncogene? What are some important ones?
    • The cell cycle

• • Worth Being Familiar with
    • Knudson's two hit Hypothesis
    • The intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways

Assessment of Learning

• Formative Assessment
  • In Class (groups)
    • Group based problem discussion
    • Identify problems and present group findings to class
  • Homework (individual)
    • Reading of journal articles
• Summative Assessment
  • In class exam

Legacy Cycle

OBJECTIVE

By the next class period, students will be able to:

• Identify the importance of the Rb/E2F pathway in cancer
• Identify major signaling pathways and how they feed into the Rb/E2F pathway
• Identify mechanisms the cell has to prevent tumors from developing

The objectives will require that students be able to:

THE CHALLENGE

You are a cell. What challenges must you overcome to become a tumor? Be sure to mention key genes and signaling pathways, and obstacles you need to develop mutations within in order to achieve these lofty goals. Alternatively you are a drug developer. What specific characteristics or mutations found in tumors cells can you target to destroy them?

GENERATE IDEAS

Students will discuss in groups commonly mutated genes found in cancer cells as well as the consequences of these mutations.

MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES

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RESEARCH & REVISE

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TEST YOUR METTLE

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GO PUBLIC

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Pre-Lesson Quiz

Various material can be tested here, depending on time constraints.

Test Your Mettle Quiz

Various material can be tested here, depending on time constraints.