Module Specifications.
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).
As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Date posted: September 2024
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Coursework Only |
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Description The purpose of this module is to prepare the students in advanced laboratory techniques that are relevant to the Biopharma industry. The students will develop a good understanding of the theory and practice of analytical instrumentation. They will also be able to: 1. Measure the concentration and purity of a drug using HPLC 2. Perform basic techniques in animal cell culture 3. Measure the impact of a chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell growth 4. Use a range of immunological techniques to examine immune suppressive properties of a novel immune therapeutic agent 5. Evaluate and critique research data from experiments in cell and molecular biology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Theory and practice of analytical instrumentation: Understand the basic chromatographic principles of bioanalysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC) and explain the critical functional components of a HPLC system. Carry out a HPLC analysis to determine the concentration/purity of an analyte (e.g. a drug or metabolite) in a biological sample or other preparation. Understand how HPLC parameters (e.g. mobile phase composition, flow rate, sample preparation) can be practically optimized to improve sample separation and quantitation. 2. Basic techniques in animal cell culture: Work aseptically with a human lung cancer cell line. Perform a direct cell count and distinguish between viable and dead cells. Implement the technical aspects that are important for animal cell culture. 3. Chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell growth: Set up 96-well microtitre plates to measure the impact of a chemotherapeutic agent on cell viability, cytotoxicity and cell proliferation. 4. Immune suppressive properties of a novel drug candidate: Set up Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure cytokine release. Digital interactive session on Flow Cytometry 5. Write concise and informative laboratory reports. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Lab 1:Basic Techniques in Animal Cell cultureEstablish the growth curve of DLKP lung cancer cells. Lab 2: Perform MTS and Cyquant Cell proliferation assays to establish effects of drug candidate on cell growth. Lab 4: Workshop on establishing a high throughput automated cancer cell proliferation panel for optimizing oncology drug discovery. Tutorial on data presentation and interpretationLab 2: Theory and practice of analytical Instrumentation.HPLC theory, analysis and practice;Workshop I: Virtual ELISAVirtual Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Workshop on data interpretation and presentationWorkshop II: Virtual Flow cytometryVirtual demonstration of Flow Cytometer. Workshop on data interpretation and critique | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||