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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Laboratory Techniques in Biomedical Diagnostics & Therapeutics
Module Code BE553 (ITS) / BIO1029 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinatorJianghui Meng
Module TeachersDenise Harold, Michael Freeley, Naomi Walsh, Paul Cahill
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

Module Aims: The purpose of this module is to prepare the students in practical laboratory techniques that are relevant to investigating biomarkers of disease. The students will develop a good understanding of the theory and practice of a number of practical techniques including understanding how to perform basic techniques in animal cell culture and cell viability assays, ELISA, Flow cytometry and qPCR. The student will develop a good understanding of the theory and practice of the biomedical techniques and be able to critically analyse and interpret data to identify novel biomarkers in diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Learning Outcomes

1. To understand the theory and practice of the following practical techniques: 1. Animal Cell Culture, 2. Cell Viability Assays, 3. ELISA, 4. Flow cytometry and 5. PCR
2. The student will be able to critically analyse data and present this data in a professional manner.
3. The student will be able to write short report in the style required by a scientific journal.
4. The student will evaluate and critique published research data in order to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of flow cytometry and in order to write the short reports.
5. The student will design experimental protocols to identify novel biomarkers in diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammatory disorders.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture4There will be 6 online lectures that will be no more than 30-45 minutes in duration. Some lectures are broken down into smaller lectures/tutorials.
Online activity2You will be required to watch instructional videos. Each video be will be mo more that 15 minutes in duration.
Tutorial7There will be 5 tutorials each lasting 60-90 minutes
Online activity2You must complete 2 online quizzes. You will be given 1 hour to complete each quiz online.
Directed learning45You will be required to read at least 20 research papers (or technical manuals) to prepare you for each task (quiz or assignment). It is estimated that you will spend 2-3 hours per paper in order to read, critique and make relevant notes.
Assignment Completion65You have 4 assignments in total where on average you should spend an estimated 15-20 hours to complete each assignment. Times will vary between each assignment and should reflect the percentage weighting for that assignment.
Total Workload: 125

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

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Interactive Videos
The student is required to watch vidoes covering the five topics (animal cell culture, cell viability assays, ELISA, Flow cytometry and qPCR) in order to develop a good understanding of the theory and practice of each practical technique. Students are required to answer questions while watching each video to show evidence of their engagement with the material.

Research papers and technical manuals
The students will be provided with a list of papers and technical manuals which they must read to assist them in completing each task.

Quiz
The student must complete quizzes on cell culture and cell viability assays.

Data and assignment instructions
The student will be provided with data and written instructions on how to analyse and present the data.

Online lectures
The student must watch all online lectures.

Tutorials
The students will have a tutorial for each assignment.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Loop QuizThe student must complete loop quiz on cell culture and viability assays.20%n/a
AssignmentThe student must complete as second short report on ELISA data: The report will include introduction, data analysis, generation of graphs with standard deviation plus statistics, results, discussion.20%n/a
Research PaperThe student will be write a short synopsis on a published paper discussing the design of the flow cytometry experiments, controls and gating strategy etc.10%n/a
AssignmentThe student must prepare and design a qPCR experiment under specific conditions. Raw sample data will be provided and a short report submitted to include introduction, data analysis, generation of graphs with standard deviation plus statistics, results, discussion20%n/a
AssignmentAn assignment to create experimental design protocols to to identify novel biomarkers for cancer or chronic inflammatory diseases.30%n/a
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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