Molecular aspects of diabetes and obesity
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LIFE3090 | Life Sciences | 3 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- LIFE3090
- School
- Life Sciences
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The module includes material covering the following topics -
Control of energy balance and satiety by hormonal and neuronal mechanisms.
Diabetes – its history, disease types, frequency and typical symptoms;
The molecular basis of insulin signalling and the effects of obesity on this
pathway.
Effects of obesity and diabetes upon lipid metabolism and inflammation.
Mechanisms by which inflammation and circulating blood lipids contribute to atherosclerosis and major blood vessel disease.
Current and future therapies for obesity and diabetes.
The emphasis throughout is illustrating how the molecular basis of homeostasis underpins normal and physiology and disease.
Target Students
Available to all students registered for a Single Honours degree in Biochemistry U6UBCHMY/ U7UBIOCH / U6UBCHMM / U7UBIOMM / U6UBCHMG / U7UBCHMG / U7UBCHMGY / U6UBCHBC / U7UBCHBC with or without another subject. Students doing Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine U6UBCHMM / U7UBIOMM would have preference should the cap be reached. Available to JYA/Erasmus students. Students from other degree courses need the module convenors’ permission in writing to select this module and may be removed from the enrolment without this.
Classes
This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc.
Assessment
- 25% Presentation: Assessment of abilities displayed in discussing submitted poster as part of a poster conference.
- 75% Exam (3-hour): Essay based examination
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to encourage students to utilise their biochemical knowledge to explain hormonal control of metabolism and how problems in the control of normal hormonal processes can lead to a broad spectrum of metabolic diseases.Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Describe the molecular defects, the mode of inheritance and the medical consequences of metabolic diseases;
Appreciate organismal homoeostatic control of energy balance;
Recognise the role of inflammation as a consequence of metabolic imbalance;
Discuss the problems associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypercholesterolemia.