Teaching and Modules

PRE COURSE MATERIAL

In September before the course start in October, you will have access to a series of short, self-paced, online courses.  Completion of these is not compulsory, but they are there to help you brush up on your background knowledge and set you up for the start of the MSc course. 

Available short courses are: 

• Underpinning Biology for Cancer Science
• Fundamentals of Human Anatomy

MODULES  

1. Genome Regulation

Module Leads - Prof Natalia Gromak & Dr. Ignacio Soriano Moruno 

This module will provide students with intricate knowledge of the structure, function and regulation of the genome. Building on an undergraduate-level knowledge of normal cell functions, lectures will cover deeper principles of DNA damage, replication and repair, and the effects of epigenetic and transcription factors on the cell cycle. The focus will be on how the disruption of these processes can contribute to the development of cancers.

2. The Cancer Cell

Module Leads - Prof. Eric O'Neill , Dr Marco Pontecorvi & Dr Tess Stanly

This module will focus on translation, cellular metabolism and cell signalling pathways regulating growth and differentiation. Building on undergraduate knowledge of normal cellular function, the lectures will provide detail on the signalling pathways which lead to abnormal cell growth and division, and will delve into the specific role of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades in the pathophysiology of cancer. The module will also cover the impact of translation control, metabolism and the regulation of the cytoskeleton in tumorigenesis. 

3. The Tumour Niche

Module Lead - Prof. Simon Buczacki & Dr Alex Gordon-Weeks

This module will discuss the composition of tumours and the tumour microenvironment, starting with lectures on tumour heterogeneity, cancer stem cells and the role of the stromal fibroblasts in cancer progression. It will then expand to discuss the extracellular matrix, physiochemical properties of tumours, and the local immune microenvironment. We will additionally cover how the microenvironment influences stem cell behaviour, metastatic spread (EMT) and the ‘seed and soil’ hypothesis (MET) for colonisation of distal sites. 

4. Cancer Immunology

Module Lead - Prof Eileen Parkes & Dr Elenii Adamopolou 

This module will discuss the role of the innate and adaptive immune system in recognising and responding to cancers and how the global immune landscape beyond the tumour becomes altered during tumour progression. Lectures will provide details on the role of the peripheral immune cells in an anti-tumour response and the impact of haematopoietic dysregulation on this response. The module will delve in detail into the roles of T cells in the immune response and factors which affect these processes in the tumour.

5. DNA and Cellular Targeted Therapies

Module Leads - Prof Peter McHugh & Dr Lonnie Swift

This module will build in the content of Modules 1 and 2 to discuss cancer therapeutics which target the DNA, the DNA damage response, and cell signalling pathways. Specific examples will be used to demonstrate the mechanisms by which therapeutic interventions were designed, developed, tested, and trialled in first-in-man studies to clinical implementation.  We will also include lectures from industry on processes of target validation, drug design, optimisation and pharmacological properties required to turn academic discoveries into viable therapeutics strategies.   

6. Tumour Microenvironment Targeted Therapies

Module Leads - Prof Kerry Fisher and Dr Chris Willberg.

This module will build on the content of Module 3 to discuss how the characteristics of the tumour microenvironment influence cancer treatments. Lectures will cover a range of examples, including drugs that affect the ECM composition and hypoxia-targeting therapeutics for use in rapidly growing solid tumours. The module will also consider the effect that the TME itself can have on drug delivery and the potential for use of TME-responsive drug delivery systems. 

7. Immunological Therapies

Module Leads - Prof Geraldine Gillespie & Prof Shisong Jiang 

This module will build on the content of Module 4 and will investigate how the body’s immune system can be harnessed to identify and kill cancerous cells. Lectures will discuss the use of immunological inhibitors, agents that disrupt tumour suppressive signals from myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumour-associated macrophages, CAR T-cell therapy, and monoclonal antibodies as examples of these principles. Cancer vaccines will also be discussed, including current uses (e.g. human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine) and potential future developments. 

8. Translational Research Methods and Applications 

Module Leads - Dr Elaine Johnstone, Dr Tom Whyntie  &  Sarah Pearson

This module will provide students with the techniques and tools needed to meet the unique needs of conducting research in the fields of Cancer Science, Radiobiology, or Medical Physics.  There are many field-specific considerations that they will need to know to successfully and responsibly conduct research, largely relating to the fact that many studies will involve clinical trials and potentially sensitive patient data. 

This course is reviewed annually and subject to minor changes in response to feedback and evaluation.

You will be given access to state-of-the-art technology to support your learning including the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE), Canvas. Lecture materials will be recorded and will be available for you to re-watch in your own time, alongside recommended reading and other activities. 

Teaching takes place in the Oncology Education Hub, which includes dedicated lecture and tutorial rooms at the heart of the department, alongside an open plan, unassigned seating workspace for masters and first-year DPhil students.