Signal transduction

The aim of the course is to contribute to the training of master degree students by providing them with a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the principal cellular mechanisms by which animals and plants respond to internal and external stimuli and change their metabolism accordingly. This course focuses on mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction in eukaryotes. We will analyze specific topics on several well-characterized signaling pathways, and important, useful experimental approaches to study signal transduction. We will compare conserved and not conserved aspects during evolution. The course will also have an in-depth critical discussion of specific topics in the signaling field.
The learning objective is to provide the students with the cultural and methodological tools for the critical analysis and the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction. The student is expected to be able to apply the theoretical knowledge gained for the comprehension and analysis of scientific papers related to the courses topics. The description of the current methodological approaches will provide the student with the cultural tools to understand the diverse approaches that can be exploited in cellular and molecular biology research projects.

At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge of the following topics:
General principles of signal transduction.
Signaling mechanism of Tyrosine kinase receptors: the Insulin receptor.
The mTOR signaling pathway and translational control.
Cellular and molecular responses to stress signals in animal cells.
The molecular mechanisms by which plants perceive different stimuli through the activity of receptors.
The universal role played by calcium ions (Ca2+) in different signaling pathways and how the plant cells regulate its homeostasis.
Mechanisms developed by the plants to detect intracellular Ca2+ variations (Ca2+ binding proteins, sensor relays and sensor responders).
General understanding of the intricate mechanisms of the second messenger's crosstalk in local and systemic signalization.
Additionally, students will be able to critically analyse and discuss scientific research articles related to the course's topics.