Molecular endocrinology
Summary
We will define the concept of homeostasis and principles of hormone action and the molecular mechanisms underlying them. Interactions with the environment and pertinent public health issues will be analyzed and preventative strategies will be discussed.
Content
Study the molecular mechanisms of hormone action. After a basic primer in general endocrinology, examine the various mechanisms of steroid and peptide hormone action, as well as the cross talk between the pathways and their role in cellular signaling. Study the role of hormones in development. Then, focus on how these pathways are involved in human diseases such as diabetes, obesity and endocrine-related cancer and discuss mechanisms of endocrine disruption and transgenerational disease predisposition.
Keywords
endocrine system, endocrine disruptors, physiology, reproduction, sex differentation, estrogen receptor, homeostasis, diabetes, hormone dependent cancers
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
None
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain principles of endocrine regulation.
- Interpret data in published papers.
- Propose different experimental approaches.
- Present a research project orally.
- Defend a research project.
- Synthesize published data to produce a project.
Transversal skills
- Summarize an article or a technical report.
- Make an oral presentation.
- Manage priorities.
- Take feedback (critique) and respond in an appropriate manner.
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
- Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
Teaching methods
Ex-cathedra lectures, journal club: oral presentation and written report, practical session
Expected student activities
Presentation and critical analysis of papers.
Group project: movie for lay public.
Assessment methods
Continuous exams: 80%
Group project (movie) 20%
Supervision
| Assistants | Yes |
| Others | Two hours of "exercises" per week. This will be used as appropriate through the course (discussion with teacher(s), preparation time etc). |
Resources
Bibliography
No prerequisite.
Notes/Handbook
copies of the slides are provided.
Suggested readings.
Websites
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Molecular endocrinology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Molecular endocrinology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Fall
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Molecular endocrinology
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks