Since the discovery of genetic information flow in cells, biology has gone through an unparalleled revolution, which has provided us with a much deeper understanding of how cells work. Novel methods of this revolution, including advanced microscopic techniques, transgenic cells and animals, fluorescent labeling of proteins, enable us to observe and manipulate living phenomena at the molecular level, hence the name molecular biology. This module is the continuation of the ‘Biology of the Cell’ and discusses further topics from cell biology, including the control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, cell communication, the genetic basis of evolution, mutations in health and disease, with a strong focus on cancer. Assessment is based on weekly assignments, which contain two types of questions: multiple choice questions, to check whether basic concepts are understood, and exercises that require a creative problem-solving attitude. In the latter case, students need to apply their knowledge, be able to find the relevant information in the sources and make their own research into the topic. In class, most time will be spent on discussing these problems.
