Period
Sept 21 – October 16, 2009
Objectives/ aim
The aim of this course is to get a good understanding into how knowledge on cell-cell (mis)communication is obtained, how these processes underlie various normal and pathological processes, and how this knowledge can be used to develop better treatment strategies of human diseases.
Content
Whereas in the past 10-20 years signal transduction research has mainly focused on understanding the basic fundamental principles and how perturbation in signal transduction processes underlie human diseases, the field in changing. Now more and more basic researchers and clinicians are teaming up to translate the basic findings into better medicines that have fewer side-effects. This four week course will take you through the successive steps on how basic discoveries are translated into clinical applications.
Programme:
In the 1st week you will get an introduction into the basic concepts of signal transduction and students present (in couples) a scientific paper related to signal transduction research. In addition, the students get lectures on different aspects of translational research (drug discovery and development, molecular imaging, animal models, clinical trials).
In the second week the students will perform (in couples) hands-on experiments related to signal transduction processes that occur within and between cells (for example: invasion of tumor cells, differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into functional osteoblasts, sprouting of blood vessel endothelial cells and DNA damage and stress signaling). All these assays could be used in the discovery of new therapeutic targets/drugs.
In the 3nd week you present the results of your experimental studies in written and oral form. That week we will make visits to Biotechnology companies (involved in clinical trials). Also senior scientists will be invited to discuss with students what it takes to be a successful scientist. In addition, two PhD students will discuss with students about their experiences doing research in the laboratory.
Furthermore, the students (in couples) will get a task to write a report in which a specific molecule/target is proposed for drug/clinical development. This will be done under guidance of a mentor. At the end of the 4th week each group will give a presentation on their proposal in a mini-symposium.
Competences
This course will particularly work on:
Research competences:
Integrate different biomedical disciplines, recording, organizing and analyzing data, choosing appropriate techniques
Professional competences:
Commitment, motivation and drive, collaborating with peers, respecting the rules of the group
Form of tuition
Lectures, self study, practical, work group
Mode of assessment
Written reports, oral presentation, student behaviour