Subject | Medicine & Health

Learning

Basics of Life Science and Molecular Medicine

Central Dogma
Cell Signaling
Genome & Epigenetics
Molecular Target
Homeostasis

This 10-session course is designed for first- and second-year university students to systematically explore life sciences from molecular basics to medical applications. The curriculum begins with core molecular biology concepts, including the central dogma and protein function. It then progresses to complex cellular mechanisms such as immunity, the cell cycle, and signal transduction. Finally, the course covers advanced medical topics like cancer biology, genome editing, and metabolic diseases. The program aims to bridge fundamental scientific principles with modern medical challenges, fostering the analytical skills necessary to understand biological phenomena and disease mechanisms at the molecular level.

Target
Bachelor
Language
English
Caption
English
Start month
Anytime
Length
Short
Delivery method
Ondemand

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©Bachelor’s Program in Global Issues (BPGI). Last Update 2026-01-09

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Content／学習内容

Course Overview

Course Overview： This 10-session course is designed for first- and second-year university students to systematically explore life sciences from molecular basics to medical applications. The curriculum begins with core molecular biology concepts, including the central dogma and protein function. It then progresses to complex cellular mechanisms such as immunity, the cell cycle, and signal transduction. Finally, the course covers advanced medical topics like cancer biology, genome editing, and metabolic diseases. The program aims to bridge fundamental scientific principles with modern medical challenges, fostering the analytical skills necessary to understand biological phenomena and disease mechanisms at the molecular level.

Target Level: Students aiming to consolidate fundamental knowledge at the first- and second-year university level.

Course level: Introductory course, JEQF Level 6 (https://niadqe.jp/information/higher-education-degree-2/)

Study categorie: Medicine & Health

In-class learning: 12.5 hours (10 sessions × 3 clips per session [15-min lecture + 10-min mini-test] = 750 minutes)

Type of assessment: Achievement is determined by meeting the following requirements regarding the contents described in the learning outcomes.　1) Watch all the lecture videos. 2) Answer all multiple-choice questions correctly assigned after each 15-minute video.

Type of quality assurance: Review by the Steering Committee of the Bachelar’s Program in Global Issues

Certification: An open badge titled “Basics of Life Science and Molecular Medicine” will be issued via University of Tsukuba.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding the Central Dogma and Gene Regulation: Understands the flow of genetic information (DNA replication, transcription, translation) at the molecular level and grasps the mechanisms of gene expression regulation via epigenetics and transcription factors.
Understanding Cellular Functions and Energy Metabolism: Understands the mechanisms of ATP production via cellular respiration, membrane transport, and the basic principles of intercellular signal transduction.
Understanding the Immune System and Infectious Disease Control: Distinguishes between innate and adaptive immunity and understands the mechanisms of action of vaccines and immune evasion by viral mutations.
Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer and Therapeutic Strategies: Understands the carcinogenic process caused by cell cycle dysregulation (mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes) and the pharmacological principles of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Understanding the Pathophysiology of Metabolic Diseases: Understands the molecular links by which obesity-induced chronic inflammation and cellular stress (ER and oxidative stress) lead to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Vol 1: Basics of the Genome and Central Dogma; Storage and Expression of Genetic Information (DNA to RNA) I

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Part.1: Chemical Structure of Nucleic Acids and DNA Replication

Structure of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, base) and the stability of the double helix structure.
What is a genome? (Overview of the 3 billion base pairs in the human genome).
Mechanism of semi-conservative replication (Functions of helicase and DNA polymerase).

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Part.2: Transcription: DNA to RNA

Structural differences between RNA and DNA (Uracil vs. Thymine, Ribose vs. Deoxyribose).
The process of transcription: Promoter recognition, RNA polymerase binding, and elongation.
Directionality of the Central Dogma.

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Part.3: Eukaryotic RNA Processing

The definitive difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes (Presence of a nuclear envelope).
Post-transcriptional modification: 5′ cap structure and poly-A tail (mRNA protection and transport tags).
Splicing: Removal of introns (non-coding regions) and ligation of exons, which include both coding regions and untranslated regions (UTRs).

Vol 2: Gene Expression Regulation and Genome Editing; Storage and Expression of Genetic Information (DNA to RNA) II

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Part.1: Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulation

Why do cells become different despite having the same DNA? (Principles of differentiation).
ON/OFF switching via Transcription Factors and Enhancers.
Basic models of genetic control learned from the Operon theory (E. coli).

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Part.2: Epigenetics: Regulation Independent of DNA Sequence

Chromatin structure (DNA wrapping around histones).
Histone modification (acetylation is generally associated with transcriptional activation, while methylation can be associated with either activation or repression depending on the modified residue and context), as well as DNA methylation.
Mechanisms by which the environment alters gene function.

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Part.3: Genetic Mutations and Genome Editing Technology

Types of mutations (Substitution, Insertion, Deletion) and SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms).
Detailed molecular mechanism of Sickle Cell Anemia.
Principles of CRISPR-Cas9: Target cleavage and repair via Guide RNA and Cas9 protein.

Vol. 3: Translation and Protein Conformation; The Executive Force of Life and Energy (Proteins and Metabolism) I

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Part.1: Translation: Deciphering the Genetic Code

How to read the codon table (Triplet theory).
Structure and function of Ribosomes (the factory) and tRNA (the transporter).
Peptide bond formation and polypeptide chain elongation.

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Part.2: Hierarchical Structure of Proteins

Properties of the 20 amino acids (Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic, Acidic, Basic).
From Primary to Quaternary structure (Alpha-helix, Beta-sheet, etc.).
The principle of “Structure determines function” (Lock and Key model of enzymes).

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Part.3: Enzyme Kinetics and Biochemistry of Digestion

Catalytic action of enzymes (Lowering activation energy).
Substrate specificity and optimal pH/temperature.
Hydrolysis of macromolecules by digestive enzymes (Amylase, Pepsin, Lipase).

Vol. 4: Energy Metabolism and Nutrigenomics; The Executive Force of Life and Energy (Proteins and Metabolism) II

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Part.1: ATP: The Cellular Energy Currency

High-energy phosphate bonds of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).
Overview of Cellular Respiration: Glycolysis (Cytoplasm), Citric Acid Cycle (Mitochondria), Electron Transport Chain.
Why is oxygen necessary? (Mechanism of Oxidative Phosphorylation).

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Part.2: Membrane Transport and Nutrient Uptake

Cell membrane structure (Phospholipid bilayer and Fluid Mosaic Model).
Passive transport (Diffusion, Channels) vs. Active transport (Pumps, ATP utilization).
Glucose Transporters (GLUT) and absorption mechanisms from the digestive tract.

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Part.3: Nuclear Receptors and Nutrigenomics

Intracellular permeation of hydrophobic signals (Fat-soluble vitamins, Fatty acids, Steroid hormones).
Functions of the Nuclear Receptor Superfamily (e.g., PPARs).
Mechanisms where nutrients act as transcription factors binding directly to DNA to regulate metabolic genes.

Vol 5: Pathogens and Innate Immunity; Cellular Defense Systems (Microorganisms and Immunity) I

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Part.1: Prokaryotes (Bacteria) and Viruses

Structure of prokaryotic cells (Cell wall, Circular DNA, Plasmids).
Basic structure of viruses (Capsid, Envelope, Nucleic acid).
Viral life cycle (Adsorption/Entry, Uncoating, Synthesis/Replication, Release).

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Part.2: The Innate Immune System

Physical and chemical defenses (Skin, Mucous membranes, Lysozyme).
Function of Phagocytes (Macrophages, Neutrophils, Dendritic cells).
Foreign body detection via Pattern Recognition Receptors (e.g., TLRs) and initiation of the inflammatory response.

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Part.3: Inflammation and Cytokines

Physiological significance of the 4 signs of inflammation (Redness, Heat, Swelling, Pain).
Signal transduction via Pro-inflammatory Cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α).
Increased vascular permeability and leukocyte extravasation.

Vol 6: Adaptive Immunity, Vaccines, and Mutation; Cellular Defense Systems (Microorganisms and Immunity) II

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Part.1: Adaptive Immunity: T Cells and Cell-Mediated Immunity

Mechanism of Antigen Presentation (MHC molecules and Dendritic cells).
Differentiation and activation of Helper T cells (Commanders) and Cytotoxic T cells (Killers).
Self/Non-self discrimination (Thymic selection) and Autoimmune diseases.

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Part.2: Adaptive Immunity: B Cells and Humoral Immunity

Activation of B cells and differentiation into Plasma cells.
Structure of Antibodies (Immunoglobulins) (Variable and Constant regions) and Classes (IgG, IgM, IgA, etc.).
Antigen-Antibody reactions (Neutralization, Opsonization) and Immunological Memory.

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Part.3: Principles of Vaccines and Viral Mutation

Types of vaccines (Live, Inactivated, Component/Subunit, mRNA) and their mechanisms of action.
Molecular mechanism of mRNA vaccines (Protein synthesis in host cells).
Viral mutation mechanisms (Error rates of RNA polymerase) and Antigenic Drift.

Vol 7: Cell Division and the Cell Cycle; Regulation and Breakdown of the Cell Cycle (Cancer Biology) I

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Part.1: Progression of the Cell Cycle

Details of Interphase (G1, S, G2) and M phase (Mitosis).
DNA replication (S phase) and Chromosome condensation/segregation (M phase).
Significance of the G0 phase (Resting phase) and cellular lifespan.

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Part.2: Cell Cycle Control Systems

Regulation by Cyclins and CDKs (Cyclin-Dependent Kinases).
Checkpoint mechanisms (G1/S, G2/M, M phaPartheckpoints).
Cell cycle arrest mechanisms upon detection of abnormalities.

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Part.3: Cell Death: Apoptosis

Difference between Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) and Necrosis.
Cell dismantling via the CaspaPartascade.
Intrinsic (Mitochondrial) pathway and Extrinsic (Death receptor) pathway.

Vol 8: Carcinogenesis Mechanisms and Molecular Targets; Regulation and Breakdown of the Cell Cycle (Cancer Biology) I

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Part.1: Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor Genes

Role and mutation of Proto-oncogenes (e.g., Ras, Myc).
Role of Tumor Suppressor Genes and the “Two-Hit Hypothesis” (e.g., Rb, p53).
The p53 protein: Functions as the “Guardian of the Genome.”

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Part.2: Hallmarks of Cancer

Unlimited proliferation and Immortality (Telomerase activity).
Angiogenesis (VEGF Partretion) and Metastasis mechanisms (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition – EMT).
The Warburg Effect (Cancer-specific metabolism).

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Part.3: Molecular Targeted Drugs and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Principles of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (Blocking the keyhole).
Physiological role of Immune Checkpoint molecules (PD-1/PD-L1).
Mechanism of cancer treatment via release of immune evasion.

Vol 9: Basic Principles of Signal Transduction; Intercellular Signal Transduction and Endocrine System (Obesity and Lifestyle-Related Diseases) I

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Part.1: Modes of Intercellular Communication

Endocrine (Hormones), Paracrine, Autocrine, and Contact-dependent signaling.
Specific binding between Receptors and Ligands.
Differences between Hydrophilic signals (Membrane receptors) and Hydrophobic signals (Nuclear receptors).

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Part.2: Membrane Receptors and Signal Transduction Pathways

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR) and Partond Messengers (cAMP).
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK) and Phosphorylation Cascades.
Signal Amplification mechanisms.

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Part.3: Blood Glucose Regulation and Insulin Signaling

Maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis by Insulin and Glucagon.
Pathway from the Insulin Receptor to GLUT4 (Glucose Transporter) membrane translocation.
Understanding insulin action via the “Lock and Key” model.

Vol 10: Pathophysiology of Obesity and Chronic Inflammation; Intercellular Signal Transduction and Endocrine System (Obesity and Lifestyle-Related Diseases) II

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Part.1: Physiology of Adipose Tissue and Adipocytokines

Differences between White Adipose Tissue (Storage) and Brown Adipose Tissue (Thermogenesis).
Leptin Partretion and its action on the hypothalamus (Appetite suppression/Metabolic enhancement).
Balance between Adiponectin (Beneficial) and TNF-α (Harmful).

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Part.2: Insulin Resistance and Chronic Inflammation

Macrophage infiltration and induction of inflammation in hypertrophied adipocytes.
Inhibition of Insulin Receptor Substrate (Serine phosphorylation) by inflammatory signals (JNK, IKK).
Why does “Inflammation” cause “Diabetes”? (The Molecular Link).
Concept of the Metabolic Domino.

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Part.3: Stress Response and Breakdown of Homeostasis

Relationship between ER Stress (Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress) and Obesity.
Cellular damage caused by Oxidative Stress (Reactive Oxygen Species – ROS).
Molecular basis of Metabolic Syndrome (Inflammation as the “Common Soil”).

Staff／スタッフ

- Coordinator
- Teacher
OHNIWA Ryosuke

University of Tsukuba

Professor

Competency／コンピテンシー

Literacy
Logical thinking ability

Specific competency

Logical Thinking at the Molecular Level
Applying Basic Science to Medicine
Systemic Understanding of Biological Phenomena
Evidence-Based Decision Making
Ethical Insight into Advanced Technologies