A 30-Year Journey Through Integrative Physiology Research and Education, Courtesy of Angiotensin II

In this article, we review how we interact with medical students in our efforts to teach blood pressure regulation and systemic cardiovascular control along with related elements of respiratory and exercise physiology. Rather than provide a detailed lecture with key facts, we attempted to outline our approach to teaching integrative cardiovascular physiology to medical students, which includes five major themes. First, focus on questions versus answers and facts. We believe that this offers both the learner and teacher a number of advantages. Second, avoid teaching dogma in the name of clarity (i.e., heavy focus on teaching “facts” that have not yet been fully investigated). This is especially important because of the way knowledge evolves over time. Third, include laboratory-based experiences in human integrative physiology. Fourth, provide students with intellectual frameworks versus a list of “facts” to serve as a platform for question generation. Finally, focus on the role of integration and regulatory redundancy in physiology and the idea that physiology is a narrative that can help. In this article, we discuss the philosophy behind the themes outlined above and argue that questions, and not answers, are where the action is for both research and education.

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Clinical physiology: a successful academic and clinical discipline is threatened in Sweden

AJP Advances in Physiology Education ◽

10.1152/advan.00072.2009 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 265-267

Author(s):

Håkan Arheden

Keyword(s):

Human Physiology ◽

Clinical Work ◽

Functional Approach ◽

Clinical Physiology ◽

Integrative Physiology ◽

The Past ◽

Applied Physiology ◽

Systems Physiology ◽

System Physiology ◽

Research And Education

Clinical physiologists in Sweden are physicians (the majority with a PhD degree) with thorough training in system physiology and pathophysiology. They investigate patients in a functional approach and are engaged in basic and applied physiology teaching and research. In 1954, clinical physiology was founded as an independent academic and clinical discipline by the Swedish government to ensure “contact between routine clinical work and the scientific progression.” Up until 2008, clinical physiology was an independent clinical discipline but was then made a subdiscipline to radiology, a fundamentally different discipline. Individuals wishing to become clinical physiologists are required to be trained and certified as European radiologists, after which training and certification as clinical physiologists may be pursued. This means that radiologists without training in clinical physiology have become gatekeepers for future clinical physiologists. Unfortunately, this development takes place at a time when research and education in preclinical integrative physiology have diminished in favor of other organizational levels, such as cellular and molecular biology. The responsibilities for education and research in integrative human physiology have therefore mainly been transferred to clinical physiologists. Clinical physiology has been a successful independent clinical discipline in Sweden for the past 55 years and could serve as a model for other countries. Unless clinical physiologists regain control over their own discipline, systems physiology as a knowledge base and resource for patient care, education, and research will be severely impaired.

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An introduction to the themed issue on RNA biology in China

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/ebc20200031 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 863-866

Author(s):

Zhe Wu

Keyword(s):

Molecular Biology ◽

Chinese Society ◽

Fortieth Anniversary ◽

Rna Biology ◽

Research And Education ◽

Education In China

Abstract The year 2019 marked the fortieth anniversary of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CSBMB), whose mission is to promote biomolecular research and education in China. The last 40 years have witnessed tremendous growth and achievements in biomolecular research by Chinese scientists and Essays in Biochemistry is delighted to publish this themed issue that focuses on exciting areas within RNA biology, with each review contributed by key experts from China.

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