Fundamentals of Cancer Cell Biology (817C8)
Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.
Fundamentals of Cancer Cell Biology
Module 817C8
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
The module will provide a series of integrated lectures and seminars presenting cancer as a disease of genetic origin in which the normal homeostatic processes of the cell become misregulated. The structure of the module will be founded on the concept of progressive acquisitions of 'hallmark' traits as expounded by Hanahan and Weinberg, and use this model to relate to the various regulatory pathways that become mutated and/or misregulated as cells progress from normality to the ultimately lethal invasive metatastatic phenotype.
These general principles which will form the first part of the module will then be expanded and illustrated by in depth 'case studies' of major forms of human cancer and familial cancer predispostion syndromes. Finally, the module will be rounded off with discussion of existing therapies and the prospects for novel therapies that come from an understanding of the molecular basis of the individual cancer types.
Module learning outcomes
Have a systematic understanding of the essential biological features of the main types of human cancers, including their incidence, natural history and progression, symptoms and diagnosis, current therapies and prognosis and of the cell regulatory pathways that become misregulated as hallmark traits are acquired during cancer progression.
Show a critical awareness of the underlying genetics (where known) of the main types of human cancers including cancer predisposition syndromes, understanding the key distinctions between oncogenes and tumour suppressors and the distributions of driving and passenger mutations present in cancer genomes.
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the mechanism of action of the current principal pharmacopia of anti-cancer treatments in terms of the pathways they affect.
Analyse, appraise and evaluate research into contemporary cancer treatments.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Presentation | T1 Week 11 | 100.00% |
| Computer Based Exam | Semester 1 Assessment | 70.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 8 hours | 00000000002 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 22222222220 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Owen Wells
Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/260574
Dr Alessandro Bianchi
Assess convenor
/profiles/215271
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.