MF9235 Molecular Cancer Medicine

University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine

Course content

This course focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cancer, combining textbook-based lectures, research discussions, student presentations, and lab visits to provide a comprehensive understanding of modern Cancer Biology, personalized medicine, and translational research. Students gain practical insights and up-to-date knowledge necessary for advancing in cutting-edge cancer research and therapy development.

The purpose of the course is to equip students with a solid foundation to work in the forefront of Cancer Research, and to provide a foundation for effective translational cancer research. 

This is achieved by combining the following elements:

• Classical lectures based on a comprehensive textbook in Cancer Biology (The Biology of Cancer, Robert A. Weinberg) to assure a solid understanding of cancer biology.
• Research-based lectures by active researchers at the forefront of Cancer Biology Research.
• Group work and student presentations of recent research papers to allow for in depth discussions of the subjects and state of the art techniques in cancer research.
• Site visits in research labs at the comprehensive cancer centre to provide a practical understanding of select techniques and approaches used in modern molecular cancer biology research.
• Examples of translational research and personalized treatment.
• Examples of translational biology research and rational cancer therapy will be given.

All teaching is conducted by active national and international researchers in molecular Cancer Biology

Learning outcome

Modern Cancer Biology research, translational research and personalized cancer medicine rely heavily on the molecular understanding of cancer. This course provides a state-of-the-art thorough overview of the current understanding of molecular Cancer Biology.

The course will give you knowledge about:

• The complex biology of cancer
• In depth understanding of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes.
• The genes and pathways altered during cellular transformation
• Cellular signaling pathways in cancer and how to study them in a cancer context.
• Multistep tumorigenesis
• Invasion and metastasis
• Bioinformatics in cancer research
• Transcriptomics and proteomics for cancer research
• Model systems in cancer research
• Tumor-microenvironment interactions
• Cancer cachexia
• Tumor immunology
• Rational cancer therapy
• Techniques in cancer research

Teaching

The course is an intensive full two weeks course and consist of:

• Lectures: 36 hours
• Journal club/group work: 14 hours
• Site visits: 3 hours

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.

Examination

The exam consists of two parts that aim to test the students overall comprehension, overview and ability to criticallly evaluate current research within cancer biology.

The exam consists of:

• An oral examination
• A written home exam to be submitted 4 weeks after the course

Both parts must be passed to pass the course.

Admission to the course

PhD candidates and master students can apply for this course.

Maximum number of participants is 30.

Applicants admitted to a PhD programme at UiO sign up for classes and exam to this course in StudentWeb.

Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study before they can sign up for classes and exam to this course. See information here: How to apply for a right to study and admission to elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences

Applicants will upon registration receive an immediate reply in StudentWeb as to whether a seat at this course is granted or not.

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