Teachable Tidbit: Cell Signaling—Why should YOU Care?

Mountain West Summer InstituteAugust 3, 2012

Group 1: Cell Biology

Participants: Patrick Burns, Jacquelyn Duke, Diane Hartman, Pamela Harvey, Andrea Stith, and Mark Thomas

Facilitators: Renee Dawson and Robin Wright

Overview

• Topic: Cell signaling and cancer• Context:

– Week-long unit geared toward 100-level biology course for majors and non-majors.

– End of semester – 50 to 100 students

• Prior Knowledge:– Cell structure– Mitosis– Reading assignment on cell signaling

Unit Goals

• Understand that cell signaling regulates cell division

• Understand that defects in cell signaling underlie cancer

Tidbit: Outcomes & Activities

What do these people have in common?

• What IS cancer?

• Will there ever be a cure?

Cell Division and Cancer

Cell DivisionG

o

STOP

___Transduction Pathway___Nuclear Envelope___Plasma Membrane___Growth Factor Receptor___Growth Factor___Tumor Suppressor Gene

Cell DivisionAB

C

D

E

Go

STOP

F

Gene Protein Normal FunctionToo Much

ProteinToo Little

Protein

ErbB2 HER2 Growth Factor Receptor

PDGFR PDGFR Growth Factor Receptor

BRCA1,2 BRCA Tumor Suppressor

TP53 p53 Tumor Suppressor

CHEK-2 CHK2 Tumor Suppressor

Regulators of Cell Division

Summary Assessment Question

Jane recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. The oncologist performed a biopsy and laboratory analysis revealed an increase in HER2 receptors and decreased p53.

You work in a pharmaceutical company and are a genius at drug design. Brainstorm a way to treat Jane’s cancer.

Take home messages:

Appropriate cell signaling is required for normal cell division.

Cancers are caused by defects in cell signaling pathways.

Multiple defects magnify the severity.

Assessment, Alignment, & Diversity

Thank you!

Facilitators,Group Members &

National Academies Summer Institute for your contributions!

Website Citations

• 1 http://trussty-jasmine.blogspot.com/2012/03/stem-cells-can-repair-damaged-corneas.html#axzz22P5vt5SP

• 2 http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/infected_wounds

• 3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skeleton