This module aims to provide an integrated treatment of the biochemical / molecular basis of signalling processes downstream of diverse extracellular stimuli, emphasising those signalling pathways which are mediated by cell-surface receptors. Topics include receptor structure and function, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G-proteins, receptor tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, phospholipid signalling, Ca2+ signalling; nitric oxide signalling; nuclear receptor signalling; actions of second messengers; ligand-gated ion channel and electrical responses. The practical aims to provide an introduction to receptor binding techniques and students will also be required to present data from an allocated primary paper.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Explain how information from a complex extracellular repertoire of hormones and other signalling molecules is translated to a simpler set of chemical signals inside the cell.
• Describe the pharmacological classification, structure and ligand-binding properties of different classes of cell-surface receptors and the ways in which, directly or indirectly, they couple to effector systems.
• Discuss the mechanisms which underlie the generation and actions of various intracellular signalling molecules.
• Discuss the essential reversibility of these cellular control pathways and the mechanisms which terminate signalling cascades when their job has been completed.
• Formulate and express, to both lay and expert audiences, their own ideas through independent learning and writing skills.
• Discuss the principles of signalling by nuclear receptors
• Articulate the integration of simultaneous signalling by different receptors in the same cell including signalling by both surface and nuclear receptors.
• Analyse and interpret the scientific literature to provide an evidence base supporting the achievement of the above learning outcomes