This course will explore the current frontiers of the world of RNA biology with primary research papers to trace how the original odd detail sometimes leads to major discoveries. As we discuss the different transcripts and processing events that enable this exciting diversity of RNA functions, we invite you to read landmark papers with us, think critically, and ask new questions, as we marvel at the wonders of RNA.
This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. Many instructors of the Advanced Undergraduate Seminars are postdoctoral scientists with a strong interest in teaching.

In deze unit worden de basiszinsdelen besproken. De kennis wordt getest aan de hand van een quiz met aangepaste zinnen vanop de achterflap van het boek "Verwoest" door Margje Woodrow.

This is a lab activity where students observe the relationship between pressure and volume. They use their data to determine the formula for Boyle's Law.

During the last couple of decades two new remarkably successful principles for diabetes therapy have appeared and are now used worldwide. These are incretin based therapy and surgical therapy. These two are at some extent linked together and in this lecture we’ll provide an introduction to these two principles for diabetes therapy.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

In this presentation we’ll talk about the effects of GLP-1 (Glucagon Like Peptide 1), GLP-1 has important actions on gastrointestinal secretion and motility, and it acts to inhibit appetite and food intake. In continuation of the effects of GLP-1, we’ll talk about GLP-1, GIP, lipids, proteins, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

This presentation talks about intravenously GLP-1 infusion to patients with type 2 diabetes. The GLP-1 infusion is capable of restoring fasting glucose concentrations during the night time and can nearly normalize the meal-induced glucose excursions after meal ingestion. GLP-1 has many attractive actions regarding diabetes type 2 treatment, which is the theme of this presentation.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

This presentation talks about glucose regulation, how it’s possible to maintain a constant glucose level and physical regulation of plasma glucose. In continuation of this we’ll talk about diabetic complication, like neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, chronic hyperglycemia, which can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke and amputations.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

This presentation provides an introduction to the islet hormones effects on various target tissues. Insulin is such a hormone, and in continuation of this, we’ll talk about the insulin receptor signaling. Furthermore we’ll talk about liver cells, fat cells, Lipogenesis, Insulin dose-response curves, C-peptide, Glucagon and glucagon producing tumor.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

This presentation focus' on glucose and insulin, and how these are integrated in the intact organism, in continuation of this we’ll talk about, insulin and glucagon secretion, hepatic glucose production and plasma glucose concentrations. The purpose of this is to get an understanding of what happens in the body when you have type 2 diabetes. Furthermore we’ll talk about the possibility of developing an glucagon receptor antagonist, regarding the therapy of diabetes.

Course responsible: Associate Professor Signe Sørensen Torekov, MD Nicolai Wewer Albrechtsen & Professor Jens Juul Holst

This presentation focus on the question: can we cure diabetes? By interviewing different experts we will estimate how possible it is that we will find a cure for diabetes in the future. One of the main arguments is that we already have a cure, which is eating right and exercise, but the big question is whether people are willing to take this cure?

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation discuss how we can fight the global diabetes epidemic. According to WHO (2016) the incidence and impacts of diabetes can largely be prevented or reduced with an approach that incorporates evidence-based, affordable, cost-effective, population-wide and multi-sector intervention. So which interventions should we prioritize as the most efficient interventions to fight the global diabetes epidemic?

Narrator: Richard Steed.

Many people exercise and take medicine in order to delay or treat type 2 diabetes. However in most cases these interventions in one’s lifestyle fails and the person regain weight and retain their increasing blood glucose levels. Controlling one’s appetite seems to be the key, which is one of the aspects we’ll discuss in this presentation. Furthermore we’ll discuss how gastric bypass surgery helps people with diabetes type 2 controlling their appetite and make their diabetes disappear. Finally we’ll discuss how hormones such as GLP-1 can help diabetics’ control their appetite, and lose weight.

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation talks about which role exercise plays in developing diabetes. We will describe what happens in the body when we exercise, and why these changes help us prevent and treat diabetes. In continuation of this we’ll talk about the interaction between insulin, glucose and muscle cells and how we through exercise, can change our health. Furthermore we’ll discuss how lifestyle can affect one’s future children in terms of developing diabetes later on.

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation focus on which role nutrition plays in developing diabetes and how obesity affects diabetes development. Obesity and weight gain dramatically increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But it’s not only the total calorie intake and the BMI that counts, so does the distribution between fat, protein and carbohydrates, in other words the composition of nutritions. In continuation of this it will be discussed how a restricting intake of carbohydrates might be the way to reduce or even eliminate the use of medication in diabetes treatments.

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation address how being overweight and obese is considered one of the strongest predictors, regarding the development of type 2 diabetes. Almost 85 % of people living with diabetes type 2, are either overweight or obese. This is an important aspect, because globally we have a lot of overweight people, in fact in 2014, one in three adults was overweight and one in eight was obese. But why do the numbers keep growing and what’s causing this epidemic growth of obesity?

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation provides an introduction to Diabetes.What is diabetes and what happens in the body? You will learn how diabetes is a term used to describe the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin and how insulin as a pancreatic hormone functions as a main glucose regulator, that makes sure our glucose levels are balanced. Both high and low blood glucose levels are dangerous. When you have diabetes, the lack of insulin will cause high blood glucose levels, which affects several parts of your body.

Narrator: Richard Steed.

In this presentation you will learn about the evolution of diabetes and how it affects the world population. Diabetes is probably recognized as one of the biggest global health challenges in the 21st century. Figures from 2012 shows that diabetes caused the death of 1.5 million people and lead to an additional 2.2 million deaths caused by higher than optimal blood glucose, which increases the risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. The prevalence of diabetes is rising in all income groups, however over the past decade it has risen faster in low and middle income countries rather than in high income countries.

Narrator: Richard Steed.

This presentation talks about who is at risk of developing diabetes and how diabetes will affect the future generations. You will be introduced to how the global amount of people diagnosed with diabetes, according to the WHO and the IDF, will increase from just over 400 million to 600 million by 2030.

Narrator: Richard Steed.