Cellular and Molecular Biology

CELL PHYSIOLOGY (ON-LINE)

CELL PHYSIOLOGY (ON-LINE)

Academic year 2022/2023

Sommario del corso

• Course objectives
• Results of learning outcomes
• Course delivery
• Learning assessment methods
• Support activities
• Program
• Suggested textbooks and readings
• Notes
• More information
• Teaching tools

Course objectives

This teaching contributes to the learning objectives included into the Biomedical and Biomolecular area of the Master in Cellular and Molecular Biology, providing knowledge and applicative abilities to critically investigate cell functions. Students learn to address issues related to the complex relationship between structural and functional components of the cell. Starting from the basic role of diffusional events that will be treated from both the theoretical and experimental points of view, particular attention will be focused on live cell imaging techniques as experimental tools to investigate physiological processes in time and space at different biological scales (from molecular to multicellular). For each item, students learn how to highlight the specific scientific question, to interpret data, to discuss the experimental approaches employed by the authors. The main objective is to develop the ability to critically analyze and interpret the results of the related scientific literature. 

Results of learning outcomes

• Extending and applying knowledge of cell physiology to new contexts
• Re-analysing information
• Selecting robust information from a variety of sources
• Making reasoned predictions and generalisations from experimental evidence and theoretical information
• Drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
• Drawing on knowledge and understanding of cell physiology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge
• Critically evaluating scientific publications and media reports
• Discussing the strenght and limitations of the results published on research papers, eventually identifying sources of errors and biases
• Communicating cell physiology findings and concepts fully, appropriately and using a variety of different modalities 

Course delivery

Start@Unito online course.

1. Video-recorded lessons;

2. Slides;

3. Online exercises for self-evaluation;

4. Final certificate

5. Final written test in presence

Lectures and integrative activities on Moodle platform (Cell Physiology):

1. slides;

2. specific readings;

3. exercises and self-assessment questions;

4. in-depth videos on specific topics uploaded.

Learning assessment methods

Exams will take place exclusively in presence with the only exception of students who self-declare, in relation to Covid-19, personal fragility or positivity.

The learning assessment will be held in written form (Moodle platform*) with optional oral integration (relative weight written/oral 3/1).

Written test details:

Moodle-based test of 30 questions in different formats: open question, multiple choice quizzes, true/false, short answers, open-ended questions; interpretation of experimental data and resolution of exercises . Time: 30'. The maximum grade will be 33/30. Grading 31-33 will give rise to " 30 cum laude".

*enrolment on Moodle course (Cell Physiology) is required to take the final written test

https://cmb.i-learn.unito.it/course/view.php?id=404

for technical assistance please send an email to Dr. Olivier Friard (olivier.friard@unito.it).

Support activities

Supplementary activities

1. selected readings

2. online exercises for self-evaluation

Program

The main objective of the course is to convey to the students the ability to

1. critically analyze scientific papers on cell physiology topics;
2. design integrative experimental protocols to address functional questions, taking into account the strengths and limitations of the different approaches.

Topics:

• Cell as a complex system
• Structure-function redundancy
• Diffusional processes
• Membrane transports
• Electrical signals
• Molecular basis of sensory physiology
• Live fluorescence microscopy approaches to investigate intracellular signaling
• Spatio-temporal features of calcium signaling

All the video-lectures, slides, selected papers and websites are fully available on Start@unito and Moodle platform (Cell Physiology).

Note

More information

• Teaching materials
• Exams and finals
• Go to Moodle
• Visit the forums