Cancer-related vascular biology

Language of instruction

English

Course content

This course will provide broad theoretical and practical understanding of basic aspects of vascular biology, in particular cancer-related vascular biology but also other processes where vascular biology is relevant. The course present knowledge about relationships between vascular biology and cancer progression and diagnostic and treatment options directed towards the vasculature. Applied methods for studying vascular biology and biomarkers reflecting cancer-related vascular biology. Also, the course aims to stimulate to scientific thinking, critical reflection and professional discussions. The students are given possibilities to extended discussions with world leading experts in the field of vascular biology.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this course the candidate should have:

Knowledge regarding

• Basic vascular biology
• Principles and challenges related to personalized medicine
• Cancer-related vascular biology, and how knowledge from this is applied within cancer treatment today
• Status of frontline research of vascular biology
• Ways of exploiting knowledge of vascular biology in search for new treatment strategies
• Cancer-related biomarkers in cancer diagnostics and treatment: Research and clinical practice

Skills

• Can formulate hypotheses to plan and conduct studies on cancer-related vascular biology
• Can consider utility and limitations in use of cancer-related biomarkers
• Be able to communicate relevant literature and methods concerning cancer-related vascular biology, with critical reflection

General Competency

Be able to evaluate how knowledge about vascular biology can assist in understanding tumor biological processes and mechanisms, and as a guide to improved diagnosis, targeted treatment and follow up of cancer patients.

Study period

March 20.-31. 2023

Credits (ECTS)

6 study points

• Three course weeks (30hr/w): 3 ECTS

Preparatory work, including case-based collaborative learning : 3 ECTS

Course registration and deadlines

Register via StudentWeb before the deadline Sept 1st.

Students from external (non-UiB) institutions have to apply for course admission here:

https://fsweb.no/soknadsweb/login.jsf

Pre-requirements

For PhD-candidates: Completed cand.med. or Master¿s degree in cell or molecular biology, and admitted to a PhD program at UoB or other Norwegian institutions of higher education.

For master and medical research program students: Admission to the Medical student research program or Master¿s degree within biomedisin or related areas.

Recommended previous knowledge

Medical or health related educational background or PhD project related to medical / health related research. Basic knowledge of cancer and cell biology is recommended.

Part of training component

Recommended as part of the training component for all candidates affiliated with the Research School for Cancer Studies (RSCS) and other candidates in cancer related projects.

Compulsory Requirements

• Participate during at least 80% of the course
• Participate actively in the group assignments
• Give oral presentation based on the weekly assignments

Form of assessment

Assessment by presentation of assignment (individually or in pairs), first for small group of other students, with peer critique across presentations; secondary a selection of the assignments will be presented in a plenary session, with a following discussion on each assignment

Grading scale: Pass / fail

Course overlap

No

Who may participate

The course is primarily intended for PhD candidates who are affiliated with the Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO), but is also open to other students, PhD candidates and students at the Medical Student Research Program.

Programme

• Lectures
• Open research seminars
• Case-based collaborative learning
• Group assignments (one each course week; 4-5 students per group)
• Presentation and discussion of assignments
• Self-studies
• Plenary discussions
• Tutored group discussions
  

Contact

kjetil.harkestad@uib.no

heidrun.vethe@uib.no

Academic responsibility

Researcher Agnete Engelsen

Professor Lars A. Akslen

Course coordinator

Post doc Heidrun Vethe

Administration

Kjetil Utvik Harkestad

Lecturers

Faculty from Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and University of Bergen.

Course location

University of Bergen, Campus Haukeland