Content (Syllabus outline)
• Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: structure, organization, evolutionary origin and functional differences.
• Biological membranes: structure, passive and active transport and the role of membranes in cell interactions.
• Intercellular signaling and receptors: information transfer within and between cells, key differences in signaling between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
• Extracellular matrix, cell junctions: mechanical support and signal integration.
• Cytoskeleton: structure, dynamics, cell movements and intracellular transport.
• Endomembrane system: ER, Golgi apparatus and vesicular transport.
• Biosynthetic and secretory pathways in the eukaryotic cell.
• Endocytosis, exocytosis and membrane turnover.
• Lysosomes, peroxisomes and autophagy as major degradation systems.
• Mitochondria: energy conversion, signaling and apoptotic roles.
• Cell nucleus: chromatin, epigenetic regulation and nuclear transport.
• Cell cycle, checkpoints and mitotic division.
• Regulation of the cell cycle and signaling pathways.
• Cell death: apoptosis, necrosis, pyroptosis and the link to inflammation.
• Cancer cells: altered cellular processes and microenvironment.
• Cell aging, causes of cellular senescence.
• Eukaryotic cell-prokaryotic interactions: adhesion, pathogen entry, evasion of immune surveillance.
• Endocytotic and autophagic pathways as targets of bacteria and viruses.
• Experimental approaches: light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy.
• Labeling of cellular structures, in vitro models and tracking of cellular processes.
Prerequisites
The coloquium is a prerequisite for the exam.