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.

The objective of the course is to improve your analytical and critical thinking skills and to establish an understanding of the interplay of metabolism, epigenetics and tumorigenesis.

Topics will include:

  • the role of glycolysis in the regulation of growth factor signaling
  • the control novel metabolome/epigenome axis that impact tumor cancer stemness
  • characterization of molecular links between obesity/diabetes/lipid metabolism
  • epigenetic mechanisms that influence cancer pathogenesis.  

These mechanisms will be used as the basis to discuss neoplasia in specific model tissues. 

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 of each paper.

Course coordinator

Dr. Maria Rozakis Adcock

adcock.maria@gmail.com

lmp.grad@utoronto.ca for administrative queries.

Timings and location

This course is next offered in the 2023 Winter term.

Thursdays, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Location: HS614

Evaluation methods

Oral presentations of assigned papers (50%)

Original papers from selected areas will be used for student presentations and discussions. During the course, each student will present two original papers with each presentation being assessed by coordinator.

Participation in discussions (20%)

Active participation by all students during discussion period is a requirement. For each weekly student presentation, selected student discussants will be assigned to review each research paper and come to class with 2-3 prepared questions.   

Research Proposals (30%)

Proposals will be in typical grant  style  (max 5 pages). Topics will be in areas unrelated to students current area of investigation or area of investigation in the supervisors lab.

Schedule

All seminars are run by Dr. Rozakis Adcock.

Date

Topic

January 12, 2023

Introduction

Session 1: Epigenetics, Bromodomains and stem cell plasticity

January 19, 2023

Bromodomain Proteins in Basal-like Breast Cancer

January 26, 2023

Functional interaction of EMT factors and Glycolytic Enzymes, in imparting Metabolic Advantages in Breast Cancer

February 2, 2023

GLI induction of Pluripotency through a Novel Metabolic Reprogramming Code

February 9, 2023

Epigenetics and cancer stem cell plasticity

Session 2: Cancer metabolism

February 16, 2023

Hexokinases in Tumor Initiation and Maintenance of Stemness

February 23, 2023

MYCN-driven fatty acid uptake as a metabolic vulnerability in neuroblastomas

March 2, 2023

Role of Fasting in the Control of Colorectal Cancer Metabolism

March 9, 2023

Melanoma Addiction to Lysine Metabolism

Session 3: Diabetes and cancer

March 16, 2023

Contribution of Adipocytes in promoting ovarian cancer metastasis

March 23, 2023

Role of Lipid Metabolism in metastatic prostate cancer

March 30, 2023

Hyperglycemia impact on TET DNA methylation reveals networks linking diabetes to cancer

April 6, 2023

Molecular Mechanisms Linking Obesity and Mammary Tumor Development

April 13, 2023

Grant proposals due