This is the Unit -4 section of the CSIR NET Life Sciences examination syllabus. The unit name is Cell Communication and Cell Signaling. In this unit, Advanced Cell biology and Immunology topic are included.
Cell Communication and Cell Signaling Syllabus
- Host-parasite interaction: Recognition and entry processes of different pathogens like bacteria, viruses into animal and plant host cells, alteration of host cell behaviour by pathogens, virus-induced cell transformation, pathogen-induced diseases in animals and plants, cell-cell fusion in both normal and abnormal cells.
- Cell signalling: Hormones and their receptors, cell surface receptor, signalling through G-protein coupled receptors, signal transduction pathways, second messengers, regulation of signalling pathways, bacterial and plant two-component signalling systems, bacterial chemotaxis, and quorum sensing.
- Cellular communication: Regulation of hematopoiesis, general principles of cell communication, cell adhesion and roles of different adhesion molecules, gap junctions, extracellular matrix, integrins, neurotransmission and its regulation.
- Cancer: Genetic rearrangements in progenitor cells, oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, cancer and the cell cycle, virus-induced cancer, metastasis, interaction of cancer cells with normal cells, apoptosis, therapeutic interventions of uncontrolled cell growth.
- Innate and adaptive immune system: Cells and molecules involved in innate and adaptive immunity, antigens, antigenicity, and immunogenicity. B and T cell epitopes, structure and function of antibody molecules, generation of antibody diversity, monoclonal antibodies, antibody engineering, antigen-antibody interactions, MHC molecules, antigen processing and presentation, activation and differentiation of B and T cells, B and T cell receptors, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, primary and secondary immune modulation, the complement system, Toll-like receptors, cell-mediated effector functions, inflammation, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, immune response during bacterial (tuberculosis), parasitic (malaria) and viral (HIV) infections, congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, vaccines.