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Content:

Cancer biology and embryo development are interconnected in various ways due to the shared underlying principles and mechanisms governing both processes. Embryo development results from a highly controlled series of events, while cancer cells sustain their growth, differentiation, and migration by exploiting the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underpin embryonic development.

Certain paediatric cancers originate from abnormal embryonic cells. The study of paediatric cancers through the lens of developmental biology has the potential to advance our comprehension of cancer onset and disease progression.

Studying the common pathways between cancer and embryology will provide a novel perspective of the disease, while expanding our understanding of developmental biological processes, and critically inform innovative therapeutic strategies.

Module Organizers: Dr Laura K. Donovan (l.k.donovan@ucl.ac.uk) and Dr Paula Alexandre (p.alexandre@ucl.ac.uk).

Teaching delivery:

The teaching in this module is research-led by clinicians and scientists at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê with extensive expertise in developmental biology and cancer. This module will be delivered using multiple approaches to enhance students’ learning experiences and develop new skills:Ìý

• Lectures covering the shared mechanisms of developmental biology and cancer.Ìý
• Sessions allowing students to present and discuss case studies.Ìý
• Laboratory demonstrations exploring the methods, developmental model systems, analysis and interpretation of experimental data.Ìý

20h lectures and 5h lab visits and presentation of case studies

Indicative lecture topics subject to possible changes:

1. Embryonic origin of cancer
2. Stem cells in embryo development and cancer
3. Clinical lecture: Neuroblastoma, development to cure.
4. Signalling pathways implicated in cancer and embryonic development.
5. Cell proliferation and differentiation during cancer and embryo development
6. Cellular migration during morphogenesis and metastasis
7. Clinical lecture: Medulloblastoma, from progression to treatment

Module Aims and Objectives:

• To provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms regulating embryonic development and cancer initiation or progression.ÌýÌý
• To introduce developmental models that can be employed to study cancer biology.ÌýÌýÌý
• To outline how basic science underpinning cancer can improve diagnosis and treatment.
• To promote creative thinking across the disciplines of cancer and developmental biology.

After taking this module students are expected to be able to:Ìý

• Understand the similarities between embryogenesis and cancer pathogenesis.
• Demonstrate understanding of these specialist areas in depth.
• To analyse novel data with established techniques, and to interpret and explain contradictory observations.Ìý
• Describe the diverse cell signalling and cellular mechanisms underpinning developmental biology and cancer.
• Discuss the application of biological understanding to improved diagnosis and treatment.