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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title MasterClass in Biotherapeutics
Module Code BE566 (ITS) / BIO1033 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinatorJanosch Heller
Module Teachers-
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 30
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat the module
Description

Students who choose the Masterclass in Biotherapeutics will develop key analytical and computational skills in the field of biotherapeutics in highly focused laboratory sessions under the guidance of several Principal Investigators (Cell Culture, Proliferation and Transfection, Cell viability assays, ELISA, protein A chromatography, SDS-PAGE and Bioinformatics). The masterclasses will focus on the latest advances in monoclonal antibody production in the treatment of breast cancer. Students will prepare a comprehensive literature review on a topic that is relevant for the production of monoclonal antibodies and their use as cancer therapeutics, and will disseminate their masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal. Students will also prepare a comprehensive grant proposal that addresses the search for and the production of novel biotherapeutics in immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases. Overall, students will appreciate the need for research scientists to disseminate their research through manuscript writing and to fund their future research programmes through grant applications and through these activities will develop their communication skills and project planning skills. Finally, the masterclass results and grant proposal will be disseminated via an oral presentation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop valuable hands-on experience in key techniques and technologies pertaining to Biotherapeutics.
2. Design and plan experiments, generate raw data, present the data and critically analyse it through the generation of a comprehensive report.
3. Locate the source information and literature necessary for your masterclasses, grant proposal and literature review.
4. Prepare a research manuscript that provides a summary and critical analysis of the scientific research that was carried out in this project.
5. Prepare a grant proposal that outlines a comprehensive body of work to be carried out over a 4 year period.
6. Deliver an oral presentation of your masterclass results and grant proposal.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Directed learning160Generation of a comprehensive literature review
Laboratory20Pre-laboratory work and experimental design planning.
Laboratory80MasterClass in Biotherapeutics
Assignment Completion260Preparation of the research manuscript with independent study.
Assignment Completion200Preparation of the grant proposal with independent study.
Class Presentation30Preparation and delivery of the oral presentation.
Total Workload: 750

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

MasterClass
Development of key analytical and computational skills in the field of biotherapeutics in highly focused laboratory sessions under the guidance of several Principal Investigators (Cell Culture, Proliferation and Transfection, Cell viability assays, ELISA, protein A chromatography, SDS-PAGE and Bioinformatics).

Literature Review
Preparation of a comprehensive literature review on a topic that is relevant for the production of monoclonal antibodies and their use as cancer therapeutics.

Research Manuscript
Dissemination of masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal.

Grant proposal
Preparation of a comprehensive grant proposal that addresses the search for and the production of novel biotherapeutics in immune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular and nervous system diseases.

Oral presentation
Dissemination of masterclass results and grant proposal via an oral presentation.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentLiterature review on a given topic pertaining to biotherapeutics. This will be submitted together with the MasterClass report and grant proposal in early August.35%Other
Research PaperStudents will disseminate their masterclass results as a research manuscript that adheres to the publishing guidelines of a leading peer-reviewed international journal. This will be submitted together with the literature review and grant proposal in early August.30%Other
AssignmentStudents will prepare a grant proposal. This will be submitted together with the literature review and the MasterClass report in early August.20%Other
PresentationOral presentation on masterclass results and grant proposal. These presentations will be held in early August.15%Other
Indicative Reading List

  • 0: Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies and Antibody Products, Their Optimization and Drug Design in Cancers,
Other Resources

None

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