This module provides an in-depth understanding of protein structure, function, and their role in cancer biology, emphasizing their significance in molecular pathology. It covers oncogenic and tumour suppressor proteins, protein biomarkers in oncology, proteomics techniques, and targeted protein-based therapies.
The module integrates fundamental protein science with clinical applications, including biomarker discovery, immunohistochemistry, proteomics-based diagnostics, and emerging protein-targeting therapies. Molecular pathologists will gain practical and clinical insights into how protein alterations drive oncogenesis and how they can be leveraged for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection.
Learning outcomes
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Explain protein structure and function, including post-translational modifications and protein-protein interactions in cancer signalling.
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Differentiate oncoproteins and tumour suppressors, describing key mutations (e.g., TP53, EGFR) and their impact on cancer progression.
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Evaluate protein biomarkers in oncology, including IHC, mass spectrometry-based proteomics, and liquid biopsy applications.
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Analyse therapeutic protein targets.
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Interpret proteomics data using bioinformatics tools and apply multi-omics approaches in molecular pathology