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Course Offerings

Course Details

Spring 2011-2012
MOL 523   No Pass/D/Fail

Molecular Basis of Cancer

James R. Broach
Yibin Kang

We will explore the molecular events leading to the onset and progression of human cancer. We will review the central genetic and biochemical elements that make up the cell cycle, followed by a survey of the signal transduction pathways and checkpoints that regulate it. We will discuss oncogenes, tumor suppressor and mutator genes that act in these pathways and review the role of viral oncogenes and their action on cells. We will investigate the role of cancer stem cells and the interaction between tumor and the host environment. We will explore specific clinical case studies in light of the molecular events underlying different cancers.

Sample reading list:
R. Weinberg, The Biology of Cancer, Garland Science (2007)
Wood, et al, The genomic landscape of human breast and colorectal cancers
Hanahan & Weinberg, The Hallmarks of Cancer, Cell (2000)
DeVita et al., Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology, 7th Edition

Reading/Writing assignments:
Students will be required to write a midterm paper discussing the molecular basis of a particular form of cancer and to make a oral presentation at the end of the course discussing possible novel means of therapeutic treatments for that cancer.

Other Requirements:
Not Open to Freshmen.

Other information:
Course will meet twice a week for sessions devoted in part to lectures and in part to class discussion analyzing current research topics taken from the primary research literature.

Website:  http://blackboard.princeton.edu/pucourse/MOL523_S2007

Schedule/Classroom assignment:

Class numberSectionTimeDaysRoomEnrollmentStatus
41629 L01 1:30 pm - 2:50 pm T F   Jadwin Hall   A09   Enrolled:37 Limit:45