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
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 |