Hormesis and Life

Description and objective

Description and objective

This module will begin with Mithridates VI of Pontus (120-63 B.C), also known as the Poison King……

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is a common saying that implies a positive response to an external stress. Yet, beyond the rhetorics, this notion is grounded in scientific principles, where the term “hormesis” has been described and applied. The goal of this module is to first discuss the theoretical basis behind this effect, and then to explore the reach of this phenomenon across different disciplines. These include addressing the risk-benefits of medications and health supplements, the effects of exercise on the physical body, concept of immunity and others. Based on this exposition of the concept, we hope to generate a platform for a deep dialogue on the potential analogies across domains even in sociology, psychology or economics (antifragility). We hope this would advocate the theories and practice of taking “calculated risk”, and for the learners to appreciate the merits of hard knocks or growing pains in life situations.

Schedule

Mondays and Thursdays, 12.00nn - 2.00pm

Structure

Lectures will be conducted in seminar style. Following each topic, a tutorial will be run to support a problem-based learning, by expounding on the topic just discussed. This classroom discussion constitutes the classroom participation score for the module discussion. In addition, laboratory exposure will be included to provide hands-on learning in small groups. Application of the knowledge will be demonstrated through group presentation in the final two weeks of the semester, as well as an individual write-up on a relevant topic of interest.

Reading

There is no compulsory reading for this module. The following are some supplementary reading:

Hormesis in Health and Disease by Eric Le Bourg and Suresh Rattan
Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology by Curtis Klaassen
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Pre-requisites

Pre-requisites

While there is no pre-requisites for this module, prospective students should do the following self-check to ascertain that he/she has the basic knowledge to understand the fundamental biology necessary to appreciate the teachings of this module:

I know the organization of the human body at various levels, starting with cells to tissues to organs.
I have a broad understanding of the components of a cell such as cell membrane, nucleus and mitochondria.
I know what central dogma is about where DNA encodes information which is subsequently translated into proteins in order for biological functions to take place.
I know that proteins are the major workhorse that carry specific molecular structures that enable them to perform specific tasks in the body.

Assessments

Assessments

Class participation - 10%
Students will be awarded marks based on weekly attendance, as well as their contribution to the discussion. Their contribution will be measured by the number of times they respond to questions, as well as the quality of the engagement.
Laboratory - 20%
Students will be grouped into small groups for two lab sessions. At these session, they will participate in a heat shock experiment to observe and to measure the effect of heat shock on the resilience of cells to chemical stress. At the end of their work, they will analyse the data according to the approach that will be introduced in the lecture and to complete a laboratory report. The report will then be graded.
Student presentation - 30%
Students will be grouped into small groups (likely the same grouping as the laboratory work) for a group presentation on a cross-domain analogy of hormesis. They will be evaluated based on the novelty of the content, the plausibility of their case, delivery and ability to answer questions. I will provide 20% of the grade while other student feedback contributes to the remaining 10%.
Report writing - 40%
Student will complete a write-up on a separate analogy of hormesis that they did not present. This could be one of the others that were presented or something totally different. This will be an individual report.

There is no final examination for this module.

Syllabus

Syllabus

WEEK	DATE	ACTIVITY	Description
1	10 Jan	Lecture	Module introduction and goals setting
1	13 Jan	Lecture	Prelude to hormesis: Dose-response relationship
2	17 Jan	Tutorial	Discussion on drug vs. poison
2	20 Jan	Lecture	Principles of hormesis
3	24 Jan	Lecture	Mechanism of hormesis: Heat shock response
3	27 Jan	NIL	CNY eve
4	31 Jan	Tutorial	Skeletal-muscular conditioning
4	3 Feb	Tutorial	Thermal and cryotherapy Briefing for practical
5	7 Feb	Practical	Heat shock experimentation (Group 1)
5	10 Feb	Practical	Heat shock experimentation (Group 2)
6	14 Feb	Practical	Heat shock experimentation (Group 3)
6	17 Feb	Tutorial	Practical debrief Taking stock of learning
7	28 Feb	Lecture	Mechanism of hormesis: Oxidative stress response
7	3 Mar	Tutorial	All about antioxidants
8	7 Mar	Lecture	Hormesis through caloric stress
8	10 Mar	Tutorial	Secrets of the Okinawan diet
9	14 Mar	Lecture	Mechanism of hormesis: Immune response
9	17 Mar	Tutorial	Demystifying vaccines
10	21 Mar	Lecture	Hormesis and psychological stress
10	24 Mar	Tutorial	Psychological stress
11	28 Mar	Tutorial	Hormesis with other types of stress?
11	31 Mar	Tutorial	Group presentations (Part I)
12	4 Apr	Tutorial	Group presentations (Part II)
12	7 Apr	Tutorial	Group presentations (Part III)
13	11 Apr	Tutorial	Collective reflection and concluding remarks
13	14 Apr	NIL	Good Friday