Syllabus Application
BIO 636
Cancer Biology
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Semester
Spring 2025-2026
Course
BIO 636 -
Cancer Biology
Time/Place
Time
Week Day
Place
Date
08:40-10:30
Mon
FENS-L035
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
12:40-13:30
Thu
FENS-G032
Feb 16-May 22, 2026
Level of course
Masters
Course Credits
SU Credit:3, ECTS:10
Prerequisites
-
Corequisites
-
Course Type
Lecture
Instructor(s) Information
Alex Lyakhovich
Course Information
Catalog Course Description
This course aims at analyzing molecular mechanism of cancer. Genetic and environmental factors of cancer, types of cancer, molecular changes causing cancer, angiogenesis, metastasis, role of cellular stress response, autophagy, in cancer and treatment of cancer will be discussed during the course. The lectures will involve discussion of recent advances in the light of current literature. Active participation to the course will be expected.
Course Learning Outcomes:
| 1. | - Knowledge on how Cancer is formed - Knowledge on how Cancer develops - Knowledge on how Cancer spreads - Knowledge on how Cancer is cured - Knowledge on how to study Cancer |
|---|
Course Objective
• Explain cancer as a heterogeneous, evolutionary, and molecular disease rather than a single entity
• Describe the hallmarks of cancer and the genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic mechanisms driving tumor initiation and progression
• Distinguish between oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair pathways in oncogenesis
• Interpret cancer genomics and visualization tools (e.g., oncoplots, lollipop plots, TCGA/CGH data)
• Analyze key signaling pathways involved in cancer (RAS/MAPK, Wnt, TGF-β, GPCR, hormone receptors)
• Explain tumor microenvironment, immune evasion, EMT/MET, and metastasis mechanisms
• Evaluate principles of cancer therapy including chemo-, radio-, targeted-, and immunotherapy
• Understand mechanisms of drug resistance and tumor relapse
• Critically read, present, and discuss original cancer research papers
• Integrate molecular data with clinical relevance and therapeutic decision-making
• Be able to analyze existing literature and present it in an accessible form.
• Describe the hallmarks of cancer and the genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic mechanisms driving tumor initiation and progression
• Distinguish between oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair pathways in oncogenesis
• Interpret cancer genomics and visualization tools (e.g., oncoplots, lollipop plots, TCGA/CGH data)
• Analyze key signaling pathways involved in cancer (RAS/MAPK, Wnt, TGF-β, GPCR, hormone receptors)
• Explain tumor microenvironment, immune evasion, EMT/MET, and metastasis mechanisms
• Evaluate principles of cancer therapy including chemo-, radio-, targeted-, and immunotherapy
• Understand mechanisms of drug resistance and tumor relapse
• Critically read, present, and discuss original cancer research papers
• Integrate molecular data with clinical relevance and therapeutic decision-making
• Be able to analyze existing literature and present it in an accessible form.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Related to This Course:
| Good Health and Well-being | |
| Decent Work and Economic Growth | |
| Climate Action |
Course Materials
Resources:
PECORINO, Lauren. Molecular biology of cancer: mechanisms, targets, and therapeutics. 3rd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. xviii, 342. ISBN 9780199577170.
Introduction to Cancer Biology textbook by Robin Hesketh, University of Cambridge ISBN: 9781107601482 LENGTH: 352 pages
Oxford Textbook of Cancer Biology (Oxford Textbooks in Oncology) Illustrated Edition by Francesco Pezzella (Editor), Mahvash Tavassoli (Editor), David Kerr (Editor)
The Biology of Cancer, 2nd Edition and up by Robert A. Weinberg (Author)
all papers to be discussed in the class will be sent to you as PDF files separately
Introduction to Cancer Biology textbook by Robin Hesketh, University of Cambridge ISBN: 9781107601482 LENGTH: 352 pages
Oxford Textbook of Cancer Biology (Oxford Textbooks in Oncology) Illustrated Edition by Francesco Pezzella (Editor), Mahvash Tavassoli (Editor), David Kerr (Editor)
The Biology of Cancer, 2nd Edition and up by Robert A. Weinberg (Author)
all papers to be discussed in the class will be sent to you as PDF files separately