Experimental Oncology

Course manual 2018/2019

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 and tutorials, with assignments (paper presentation and grant proposal) and group discussions of recent literature related to the thematic blocks.

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 and to provide insight into the development of new methods for cancer diagnosis and therapy.

After finishing this course, the student is able to:

• critically interpret and evaluate scientific literature in the field of experimental oncology in terms of hypothesis formation, experimental design, data representation, data interpretation, summary and discussion of outcomes.
  transparently communicate orally and in writing the content and critical interpretation of assigned scientific literature to knowledgable peers.
  formulate additional and alternative experimental strategies to address similar hypotheses.
  critically interpret and evaluate scientific information.
  formulate an original, relevant and testable experimental hypothesis in the field of experimental oncology.
  design a practically feasible experimental plan to test the formulated hypothesis.
  predict and discuss potential outcomes of the proposed research plan.
  explain the molecular and cellular basis of cancer development, diagnostics and treatment.
  apply acquired knowledge to explain, discuss and evaluate the relevance and feasibility of novel diagnostic and treatment modalities in oncology.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Seminar
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Fieldwork/excursion
• wiring a research proposal

Lectures provide the general background and introduction in the different subjects of the four thematic blocks. It also introduces the latest developments and insights in the respective research area

Seminars are state-of-the-art lectures given by experts in the respective research filed. They are part of the thematic blocks and present their ongoing research projects and recent findings.

An excursion to the radiology department is part of the course to see the daily practice of cancer treatment and patient care in the clinic.

The students have to present a research paper as part of the thematic blocks. They have to discuss the implications, shortcomings and future research lines for these studies. The student prepare questions to enable a discussion with the speakers and among the students

The students have to study the subjects of the course to prepare for four exams, one for each thematic block. The lectures provide background for the state-of-the-art lectures/seminars which are also part of the exams.

Each student has to independently write a research proposal on a topic of one of the thematic blocks during the course. They will have to define the research question and its relevance, generate a hypothesis, discuss the experimental approach to test the hypothesis and discuss the potential outcome. 

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

Attendance at lectures and seminars is highly recommended.

Assessment

Each thematic block is followed by an exam about the specific subject including the background lectures. Each exam consists of 4 questions with each 3 to 4 parts. There is no minimum grade for each of the exams. Together they make up 50% of the final grade.

The student present a research paper in the context of an thematic block. The student present in couples dividing the different parts of presentation (introduction, methods, results and discussion). They both participate in the final discussion with the students that have prepared questions. Each student will be graded individually. There are no minimum grades. The grade will count for 25% of the final grade.

Each student has to write a research proposal. The students are assigned to a specific thematic block. They have to write a proposal on a subject related to their assigned block. There is no minimum grade, the proposal grade is 25% of the final grade. 

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

There is no opportunity to retake the exams. Depending on the scores on the different part of the course, an assignment can be repeated to improve on the final grade. 

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. IN general this is within 6 weeks after the end of the course. 

Assignments

research proposal

• writing of a research proposal related to a specific theme in the course

This assignment is to be made individually. The students ahem the opportunity to discuss with the block coordinator, the subject and approach of the research project. They have several occasions at which they can ask for input, guidance and feedback. 

The assignment is graded by the block coordinator and the course coordinator. Feedback on the assignment is either given in writing (corrected version) or can be communicated in person. 

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. Karin van der Heijden (k.vd.heijden@nki.nl)

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

Contact information

Coordinator

• dr. R.L. Beijersbergen PhD