Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - MBB 746 G100

The Molecular Biology of Cancer (3)

Class Number: 3814

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Tue, Thu, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2023
    Mon, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to tumor formation, the hallmarks of cancer and their relationship to therapeutic strategies.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces the molecular biology of cancer, and how our understanding of cancer initiation and progression has evolved at the molecular and cellular levels. We will study the hallmarks of cancer, tumor progression, signal transduction pathways, cell death modalities, and cell survival processes, and how these have informed the design of cancer treatment strategies. 

Topics will include the following:   

  • Hallmarks of Cancer
  • Infectious agents and cancer
  • Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors
  • Cancer progression and metastasis
  • Cancer stem cells and clonality
  • Cell death signaling pathways
  • Autophagy: dual roles in cancer
  • Biomarkers
  • Anti-cancer therapeutics  

In addition, we will explore recent selected special topics related to emerging concepts and recent therapeutic strategies. 
These may include:   
  • Epigenetic alterations
  • Personalized Oncogenomics
  • Cancer Immunotherapy
  • Tumour microenvironment

Grading

  • Class presentation 30%
  • Class participation 10%
  • Grant proposal 50%
  • Grant review 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None. This course will be based largely on primary literature and review articles.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Robert A. Weinberg. The Biology of Cancer. 2nd Ed. 2014. Garland Publishing (for background reading)
ISBN: 978-0-8153-4220-5

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html