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Membranes and their associated proteins have a key role in transferring information inside and between cells and transporting ions and solutes. You will learn about the structure, organisation and function of cellular membranes, as well as diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, that arise from defects in cell membrane function.

To provide an understanding of the structure, organisation and function of cellular membranes. Particular emphasis will be placed on membrane composition and organisation, and involvement of membranes and membrane proteins in ion and solute transport, signal transduction and vesicular transport. Diseases that arise from defects in these processes will be used to exemplify the importance of this topic to life science.

Students will have an understanding of:

• How the biochemical and biophysical properties of membranes constituents contribute to the structure and organisation of membranes
• Cell compartmentalisation and how proteins are transported between organelles
• The principles and organisation of signal transduction pathways
• How ions and solutes are transported across membranes

Membrane Structure and Function
These lectures will describe the composition of biological membranes, and how the constituent lipids and proteins determine membrane identity and physical properties. How membrane domains are formed and the dynamic properties of membranes will also be covered.

Signalling From Membranes
The general principles of signalling will be introduced. The lectures will describe enzyme-linked receptors and G-protein-coupled receptors, and how membrane lipids act as signalling mediators. The mechanisms by which signalling is terminated and how membranes participate in organisation of signalling pathways will also be covered.

Membrane Transporters and Ion Channels
Membrane transport and transport proteins will be introduced. Active and passive transport, facilitated transport, and secondary active transport will be described. Appropriate examples will be used to illustrate the key points. Ion channel gating and channel permeability and selectivity will be covered, with examples of how defects in these processes leads to disease.

Membrane Trafficking
There will be an overview of the endomembrane system and membrane trafficking pathways. The lectures will describe the molecular machinery that is required for formation of membrane carriers, their movement within the cell, and how they fuse with target compartments to deliver their contents. Emphasis will be given to the mechanisms underlying these processes. The secretory and endocytic pathways and their role in health and disease will be covered.

e-Learning Activity
• Discussion forum
• Problem questions with worked answers
 

The unit will be assessed through a 90 minute in person examination (70%), comprising short answer questions (50% of exam marks) and multiple choice questions (50% of exam marks). On-line coursework constituting a visual infographic will form 30% of the unit mark.  
 

• Written feedback on infographic coursework

• Feedback on problem-based questions built into assessment

• Post-exam clinic 

•  Alberts B, Heald, R, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan, D, Raff M, Roberts K & Walter P (2022) Molecular Biology of the Cell (7th edition). W.W. Norton & Company Ltd., chapters 9-13 and 15. (Recommended).

 

The year studying abroad is an integral part of the course and must be completed. Some costs, such as tuition fees, are substantially lower. Other costs can vary and are not included in the tuition fee. For example, living costs may be higher or lower than the UK, and there are travel-related costs to consider, such as paying for a passport, visa fees, health insurance, and (if needed) vaccinations.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.