Module code: BIOL321101/ BIOC323101/ BIOC323201/ MICR321201
Instructions for Biological Sciences (BIOL3211), Biochemistry (BIOC3231), Medical Biochemistry (BIOC3232) & Microbiology (MICR3212)
Below are the lists of topics that are available for each module. You must only answer topics that are specified under your module title.
Biological Sciences (BIOL3211)
You must answer two questions from the following selection: Haematological Cancers
Synthetic Biology
Human-Microbe Interactions
Signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease Molecular Oncology
Streptomyces, the Antibiotic Makers Stem Cells
Cancer Therapy
Biochemistry (BIOC3231)
You must answer two questions from the following selection: Haematological Cancers
Synthetic Biology
Human-Microbe Interactions
Signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease Molecular Oncology
Streptomyces, the Antibiotic Makers Stem Cells
Medical Biochemistry (BIOC3232)
You must answer two questions from the following selection, including at least one from the topics in bold:
Haematological Cancers Synthetic Biology
Human-Microbe Interactions
Signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease Molecular Oncology
Streptomyces, the Antibiotic Makers Stem Cells
Microbiology (MICR3212)
You must answer two questions from the following selection: Haematological Cancers
Human-Microbe Interactions Molecular Oncology
Streptomyces, the Antibiotic Makers Stem Cells
Module code: BIOL321101/ BIOC323101/ BIOC323201/ MICR321201
Q1 Haematological Cancers
By using examples of how various oncogenes function, compare and contrast the molecular pathologies of chronic and acute myeloid leukaemias respectively.
Q2 Synthetic Biology
Discuss the following statement, giving examples to support your views. “Life is not a mystery – it’s a machine that can be designed to solve many pressing global needs using a synthetic biology approach, and its possibilities are limited only by the imagination.”
Q3 Human-Microbe Interactions
Using a range of examples, describe the evidence for causal links between the human microbiota and human diseases or disorders, and what is known or inferred about the underlying mechanism(s).
Q4 Signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease
Discuss multiple (more than one) signalling mechanisms by which nitric oxide is produced in endothelial cells. Describe how this gaseous substance regulates vascular contractility and blood pressure. Evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Q5 Molecular Oncology
Cancer cells acquire a succession of hallmark traits to become tumourigenic and ultimately malignant. Describe these hallmark traits. Using specific examples, discuss their role in cancer development.
Q6 Streptomyces, the Antibiotic Makers
Critically discuss strategies for awakeningsilent secondary metabolismin Streptomyces species.
Q7 Stem Cells
Describe in detail how stem cells decline in function during aging.
Q8 Cancer Therapy
Discuss the advantages and limitations of molecularly targeted kinase inhibitors over conventional chemotherapy for cancer patients (50%). Describe the molecular basis of resistance to targeted therapies, and what strategies may be used to overcome them (50%).