BCHM 432 / BMED 832 - Molecular Basis of Cell Function | Biomedical and Molecular Sciences | School of Medicine

BCHM 432 / BMED 832 - Molecular Basis of Cell Function

Fall 2024 (On-Campus)

Year 4

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

Course Description:

The course will focus on several key signaling pathways initiated by the binding of ligands to cell surface receptors. Emphasis will be placed on the general principals that underlie these pathways and on the structure, catalytic activity, regulatory properties and functions of the proteins that make up these pathways. These include serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinases, small GTPases, ubiquitin E3 ligases, G protein coupled receptors, heterotrimeric G proteins and anchoring/adaptor/scaffold proteins. The synthesis and physiological functions of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, specialized pro-resolving mediator, endocannabinoids and sphingosine 1-phosphate will be examined in detail,

Course Objectives:

The primary objective of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the major signaling pathways that regulate important cell functions such as growth, proliferation, survival and motility. Emphasis will be placed on the biochemical properties, including structure and enzymatic activity, of key signaling enzymes such as protein kinases, ubiquitin ligases, G protein coupled receptors and the enzymes that synthesize leukotrienes and prostaglandins.

NOTE Students in a LISC Plan should contact the Department regarding prerequisites and permission to register.

Prerequisites

([Level 4 or above and registration in the BCHM Specialization or Major Plan] and [a minimum GPA of 2.50 in BCHM 218/3.0; BCHM 313/3.0; BCHM 315/3.0; BCHM 316/3.0; BCHM 317/6.0]) or ([Level 4 or above and registration in the LISC Specialization or Major Plan] and [a minimum GPA of 2.50 in BCHM 218/3.0 and [BCHM 310/9.0 or [BCHM 315/3.0 and BCHM 316/3.0]).

Evaluations

Marking Scheme

Mid-term exam………………………… 20%

Group Presentations… …………….. 20%

Assignment...........................................10%

Final exam……………………………… 50%

Grading Method

Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale

Grade Numerical Course Average (Range)

A+ 90-100

A 85-89

A- 80-84

B+ 77-79

B 73-76

B- 70-72

C+ 67-69

C 63-66

C- 60-62

D+ 57-59

D 53-56

D- 50-52

F 49 and below