Course Identification

Title:

Cancer evolution: from mechanisms to treatment

Code:

20263181

Lecturers and Teaching Assistants

Lecturers:

Dr. Ofer Shoshani, Dr. Gabriela Koifman

TA's:

Inbar Lifshitz

Course Schedule and Location

Year:

2026

Semester:

First Semester

When / Where:

Sunday, 09:15 - 11:00, WSoS, Rm B

First Lecture:

26/10/2025

End date:

18/01/2026

Field of Study, Course Type and Credit Points

Life Sciences: Lecture; 2.00 points

Comments

The tutorials will be held at WSoS Room C on the following dates:
Thursday, 6.11.25 between 9:15-11:00
Thursday, 27.11.25 between 9:15-11:00
Thursday, 15.1.26 between 9:15-11:00

On Sunday, 14.12.25 the course is cancelled. A makeup session will be held on Monday 22.12.25 between 9:15-11:00 at WSoS Room C.
On Wednesday, 24.12.25 between 9:15-11:00 the tutorial will be held at Science Teaching Lab 1
On Thursday 15/1 the tutorial will be held (instead of Wednesday 14/1) between 13:15-15:00 at WSoS Room B.

Prerequisites

No

Restrictions

Participants:

30

Language of Instruction

English

Registration by

Registration By:29/10/2025

Attendance and participation

Required in at least 80% of the lectures

Grade Type

Numerical (out of 100)

Grade Breakdown (in %)

Attendance

25%

Interim:

75%

25% per quiz (total of 3, overall 75%) and 25% class participation

Evaluation Type

Examination

Scheduled date 1

Date / due date

N/A

Location

N/A

Time

-

Remarks

N/A

Scheduled date 2

Date / due date

N/A

Location

N/A

Time

-

Remarks

N/A

Estimated Weekly Independent Workload (in hours)

2

Syllabus

This course will introduce basic cellular mechanisms (including cell division, DNA damage and repair, cell signaling, immunity) that can be targeted using anti-cancer therapies.

While doing so, the class will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each therapeutic approach, and we will specifically discuss how cancer evolves (and address clonal evolution vs. acute “big bang” events) to form resistance and think about ways to prevent it.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will be familiar with up to date concepts in cancer biology, and will develop critical thinking on the emerging topics in the field.

Reading List

Students will be requested to read 3-4 papers. Reading material will be given in the first class.

Website

N/A