BL3303 Membranes and Cell Communication

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 9.00 am Mon, Tue and Wed; Practicals: to be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M Bischoff

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module looks at the various ways in which cells communicate with each other. Cell signalling not only involves the creation and reception of signals but also the mechanisms by which signals are transported across biological membranes. We will therefore consider the central role that biological membranes play in the regulation of the movement of molecules between different extracellular, intracellular and transcellular compartments. Also protein sorting and membrane trafficking will be studied. Using various examples of cell communication, the module will discuss both the molecular and the organismal implications of cell signalling. Topics covered include: (i) Lipids; (ii) Protein targeting and sorting; (iii) Membrane trafficking and transport; (iv) Wnt, Notch and Hedgehog signalling; (v) Plant cell signalling; (vi) Hippo signalling; (vii) Ubiquitylation and SUMOylation.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL2301 AND ( PASS BL2305 OR PASS BL2306 OR PASS BL2309 OR PASS PN2202 )

Assessment pattern

Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 27 x 1h lectures, 6 x 1h tutorials, 3 x 7h practicals split over several days

Scheduled learning hours

54

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

146

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.