A number of diseases are characterized by the dysregulation complex cellular signaling pathways that normally can maintain homeostasis at the cellular level, ultimately affecting the equilibrium of the organism. Alterations affecting such signaling pathways may occur at a number of levels, including the receptors and the effector molecules themselves, as well as downstream events, including protein kinase cascades, epigenetic changes, and other alterations at the transcriptional level. This course is being offered in order to gain a better understanding of these problems. This course will focus in particular on signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, survival, metabolism, and differentiated function. Included amongst the signaling pathways that will be studied, are signaling pathways initiated by G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs), Growth Factors and their Receptors, Metabolic Sensing, which occurs via AMP Kinase, LKB1 and mTOR, as well as signaling resulting from the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). Genetic disorders that affect these processes will also be studied, including Diabetes, and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The microenvironment is of importance in cellular signaling processes. In these regards, pathways in tissue remodeling, wound healing and cancer will be examined.