Experimental Oncology

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

The master course experimental oncology deals with the main themes of basic cancer research and treatment, the implications of groundbreaking new research for diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and the clinical implementation. Teachers are fundamental researchers and clinicians involved in the development and implementation of state-of-the-art cancer therapies. Topics include e.g. molecular cancer diagnostics, the hallmarks of cancer, mechanisms of drug resistance, immunotherapy of cancer. The course evolves around four major themes; hormone regulated cancers, DNA damage and genomic instability, targeted therapy and resistance and immunology and immunotherapy. Lectures covering different fields of research and treatment provide background and reference.  The different topics will be dealt with in lectures, workshops and assignments (essay with pitch presentation,  a group assignment with presentation and a research proposal with pitch).

Recommended  prior knowledge
Solid, advanced knowledge in the areas of cell biology and genetics (eg. courses Celbiologie (6 EC), Moleculaire Biologie/Biochemie (T) (6 EC), Anatomie en Ontwikkelingsbiologie (12 EC), Medische Biochemie en Pathofysiologie (12 EC)).

Study materials

Literature

• The biology of cancer by R.A. Weinberg (2nd edition). 

Syllabus

• electronic copies of Handouts

Objectives

• Aim of the course Experimental Oncology is to provide insight into the molecular basis of normal and tumor cell behaviour 
• to provide insight into the development of new methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
• To review and discuss the historical context and evidence for novel targeted cancer therapies
• To review, analyse and discuss the up-to-date status of the field in relation to an outstanding research question in oncology
• The ability to define, describe and discuss a research proposal related to an oncology related question

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• wiring a research proposal
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

Lectures provide the general background and the current standing of the respective clinical or research field. They also introduce the latest developments and insights in the respective research area. lectures given by experts in the respective research field.

There will be 3 workshops each around a specific theme. Students will get assignments schie will be discussed within the group.

There are 2 "interview the teacher" sessions in which the students prepare questions based on information provided by the teacher to get familiar with the research field, the current concepts and discuss open questions. 

The students have to write an essay on the historical development of a targeted drug in clinical use and present their findings in a pitch presentation.

The students have to address an outstanding question in oncology in a small group. They have to investigate recent findings, implications, shortcomings and future research for this question in relation to technological developments. The group presents the findings  in a presentation.

Each student has to independently write a research proposal on a research topic  captured during the course. They will have to define the research question and discuss its relevance, generate a hypothesis, discuss the experimental approach to test the hypothesis and discuss the potential outcomes. Each student will present the research proposal in a pitch presentation followed by a short discussion. 

During the course introductions and workshops are provided for the different assignments in the course. The students will provide feedback to their peers and will receive feedback on the different steps in the assignments. 

Learning activities

Attendance

Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):

1. Attendance during practical components exercises is mandatory.

Additional requirements for this course:

presence at lectures and  workshops  is mandatory

Completion of assignments, written and presentations is mandatory

Absence needs to be communicated with the course coordinator

Assessment

The final grade has be higher than a 5.5 to pass the course. 

If a deadline for a assignment is not met, that part will  be graded zero ( 0)

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

The students can only request an appointment for inspection after all the grades are in and the final score has been calculated and communicated with the students.

Assignments

assignment 1 individual

• exercise in writing a short essay about the history and development of a target therapeutic

  Peer review of short essay

  both assignments are graded 0-1-2

assignment 2 individual

• written essay about the history and development of a target therapeutic graded 0-10

assignment 2 individual

• Short presentations  about the history and development of a target therapeutic graded 0-10

assignment 3 group

• presentation about an outstanding question in oncology related to new technologies graded 0-10

research proposal individual

• written research proposal on oncology related subject/problem graded 0-10

research proposal individual

• presentation research proposal on oncology related subject/problem graded 0-10

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Additional information

Course will be held at the NKI-AVL, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam
For information, contact mw. Patty Lagerweij (p.lagerweij@nki.nl)

Homepage NKI-AVL: http://www.nki.nl

Contact information

Coordinator

• R.L. Beijersbergen PhD