LMP1200H: Neoplasia
Who can attend
MSc or PhD students with background in molecular biology, cell biology and/or biochemistry.
Course description
This is an advanced, seminar-based course designed to provide an in-depth examination of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to malignant transformation.
You will learn:
- the role of glycolysis in the regulation of growth factor signaling
- mechanisms through which glycolytic enzymes/metabolites regulate chromatin modifications
- epigenetic mechanisms that influence epithelial/mesenchymal transition
- cancer pathogenesis.
These mechanisms will be used as the basis to discuss neoplasia in specific model tissues.
You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills and an understanding of the interplay of metabolism, epigenetics and tumorigenesis.
Structure
This class is structured as a journal club.
Each week a paper will be presented by one student:
- 60-minute presentation, and
- approximately 60-minute discussion.
If you are not presenting, you are expected to contribute to the discussions.
Course coordinator
lmp.grad@utoronto.ca for administrative queries.
Timings and location
Thursdays, 10:00am-12:30pm
Location: Synchronous online delivery (Zoom)
Evaluation methods
Oral presentations of assigned papers - 50%
You will present two original papers.
The coordinator will assess your presentations.
Participation in discussions - 20%
You are expected to actively participate in discussions when you are not presenting.
The coordinator will allocate specific students to review each research paper and come to class with prepared questions.
The quality of the questions and answers will be evaluated and marked.
Research Proposals - 30%
You will write a research proposal unrelated to your current area of investigation, or area of investigation in your supervisor’s lab.
You will write this proposal in a typical grant style - maximum five pages long, single spaced excluding references and figures.
Schedule
All seminars are run by Dr. Rozakis Adcock.
| date | topic |
|---|---|
| January 21, 2021 | Introduction |
| Session 1: Epigenetics, Bromodomains and stem cell plasticity | |
| January 28, 2021 | Bromodomain Proteins in Basal-like Breast Cancer |
| February 4, 2021 | Functional interaction of EMT factors and Glycolytic Enzymes, in imparting Metabolic Advantages in Breast Cancer |
| February 11, 2021 | Functional interdependence of BRD proteins and Methyltransferases in MLL leukemia |
| February 18, 2021 | Chromatin Configuration at EMT-TF promoters and cancer stem cell plasticity |
| Session 2: Cancer metabolism | |
| February 25, 2021 | Hexokinases in Tumor Initiation and Maintenance |
| March 4, 2021 | Pyruvate Kinase regulation of Histone H3 modifications |
| March 11, 2021 | MYC/PGC-1a Role in Determining the Metabolic Phenotype and Plasticity of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells |
| March 18, 2021 | mTOR Complex 2 Control of Glycolytic Metabolism in Glioblastomas |
| Session 3: Diabetes and cancer | |
| March 25, 2021 | Contribution of Adipocytes in promoting ovarian cancer metastasis |
| April 1, 2021 | Influence of lipogenic transcriptional networks in metastatic prostate cancer |
| April 8, 2021 | Hyperglycemia impact on TET DNA methylation reveals networks linking diabetes to cancer |
| April 15, 2021 | Grant Proposal due date |