Level: Level 2

Target Students:  Compulsory for all students registered for Single Honours degrees in Biochemistry with or without another subject and other students subject to approval There is a limited number of places on this module. Students are reminded that enrolments which are not agreed by the Offering School in advance may be cancelled without notice.

Taught Semesters:

Prerequisites: Understanding of the concepts and material in C71GMC.

Corequisites:  None.

Summary of Content:  The module aim is to explain the main signalling mechanisms that take place in eukaryotic cells. This information will then be integrated with material concerning the metabolic processes such as glucose and lipid metabolism. The module will explain how metabolism is regulated and describe the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation. Metabolic control is essential for the health and survival of all organisms, and the dysregulation of metabolism underlies many of the major health problems of the 21st century such as Type II diabetes and heart disease. In this module, which combines lectures, workshops and practical sessions, students will learn about the main signalling mechanisms and pathways which can control protein levels, activity and intra-cellular site of action. This knowledge will then be placed in the context of the regulation of major metabolic pathways, such that students will understand the basis of eukaryotic metabolism, the factors influencing metabolic control and the molecular signalling pathways by which control is achieved. Workshops and Lectures will be used to allow students to gain insight into metabolic control in a real world setting, including the effects of alcohol consumption and starvation/re-feeding. Practical sessions will be integrated with the Lecture material to allow students to be involved in the design and interpretation experiments which investigate the effects of different signalling pathways upon cellular metabolism.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester

Method of Assessment: 

Convenor: 
Dr A Bennett
Dr S Serres

Education Aims:  The module aims to develop an understanding, at the molecular level, of the ways in which extracellular signals are transmitted into cells and mechanisms by which intracellular metabolic reactions respond. The module also aims to develop an understanding of lipid, carbohydrate and protein metabolism in health and disease.