Cancer Biology

Biology 445

Spring Semester, 2015

Tues, Thurs 2:00-3:15 pm
Wilson 128

Syllabus make sure you download the lecture goals and Powerpoints before each class!
(this syllabus will be updated as the semester proceeds so
check back often)
Also make sure to look on lecture outlines page for dates when we will discuss scientific
papers!

Weinberg = The Biology of Cancer. Robert Weinberg Second Edition

Read and watch online introduction before class starts

Basic properties of cancer cells/multigenic nature of cancer/basic genetics (MP)

Online lecture: https://unc.voicethread.com/share/6417683/
Plus Weinberg Chapt. 1, pp12-13, Chapt 2.1-2.5 (pp. 31-41), Chapt. 5.1 (pp. 131-135),
Chapt. 11.1-11.5 (pp. 439-458)

Jan 8 Viral oncogenes—the story of src (MP)

Weinberg Chapt. 3.1-3.3 (pp. 71-79), 3.5-3.13 (pp 82-102), Chapt. 5.2 (pp, 135-138), 5.9
(pp. 161-165)

Jan 13 Current thoughts about src function (MP)

Weinberg Chapt. 6.3 (pp. 182-188)

Jan 15 The discovery of cellular oncogenes—the story of ras (MP)

Weinberg Chapt. 4.1-4.4 (pp. 103-110; 112-117), Chapt. 5.10 (pp. 165-169).

Jan 20 How did model organisms inform our understanding of ras function (MP)
Weinberg Chapt. 6.2 (pp. 180-182), 6.4-6.5 (pp. 188-192)

Jan 22 Course exercise #1 (BD)

Jan. 27 Continued (MP)

Jan 29 The EGF-receptor pathway and Herceptin therapy (MP)
Weinberg Chapt. 4.3 (pp. 110-111), Chapt 5.3-5.6 (138-153), Chapt. 16.1-16.5 (797-
824), 16.13 (pp. 844-850)

Feb 3 Exam 1 (Material through Jan 29)

Feb. 5 Cell Cycle I: Concepts of control (BD)

Weinberg Chapter 8.1-8.4, pages 275-294.

Feb. 10 Cell cycle II: Cyclin/Cdk regulation (BD)

Feb. 12 Course exercise #2 (MP).

Feb. 17 Cell cycle III: Growth factors and checkpoints (BD)
Paper to read: Hanks et al (2004

Feb. 19 Retinoblastoma I: Archetypal tumor suppressor (BD)

Weinberg Chapter 7.1-7.7, pages 231-249.

Feb. 24 Retinoblastoma II: Mechanisms of action (BD)

Weinberg Chapter 8.5-8.13, pages 294-328.

Feb. 26 Retinoblastoma continued; Chromosome Instability

March 3 Exam 2 (Material through Feb 28)

March 5 Course exercise #3 (BD)

March 10 Spring Break

March 12 Spring Break

March 17 Student presentations 1

March 19 Chromosomal rearrangements—abl and oncogenesis (MP)

Weinberg Chapt 4.6 9PP. 124-126), Chapt. 16.6-16.12 (pp. 822-844)

March 24 Abl and the dawn of personalized therapy (MP)

March 26 Student presentations 2

March 31 Student presentations 3

April 2 p53 discovery and regulation (BD)

Weinberg Chapter 9.1-9.12, pages 331-361
April 7 p53 continued (BD)
Weinberg Chapter 9.1-9.12, pages 331-361

April 9 Course exercise 4-- the APC story (MP)

Weinberg Chapt. 6.10 (206-209), Chapt 7.11 (pp. 259-264).

April 14 Student presentations 4

April 16 Student presentations 5

April 21 Cancer Genomics I (BD)

April 23 Cancer Genomics II (BD)

FINAL EXAM Monday May 4 Noon

last updated 12/24/2014