Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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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. Measure the expression of a gene by qPCR 3. Perform basic techniques in animal cell culture 4. Measure the impact of a chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell growth 5. Use a range of immunological techniques to examine immune suppressive properties of a novel immune therapeutic agent 6. 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. Investigate other modern methods of bioanalysis (e.g. qPCR analysis of gene expression in a cell-derived mRNA sample). 2. Basic techniques in animal cell culture: Work aseptically with a human colon cancer cell line and a macrophage cell line. Prepare cell culture media. Perform a direct cell count and distinguish between viable and dead cells. Describe 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. Design, execute and interpret experiments in cancer cell biology, including cell cycle/apoptosis analysis and the detection of disease biomarkers. Evaluate and critique research data from cancer biology experiments involving Flow Cytometry, IHC, Western blots, gene knockdown, transgene expression, RT-qPCR, and gene promoter analysis including Chromatin Immunoprecipitation. 4. Immune suppressive properties of a novel drug candidate: Set up cell culture plates using a macrophage cell line to measure the impact of a immune suppressive properties of a novel immune therapeutic. Perform a range of immunological techniques such as Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure cytokine release. Design, execute and interpret experiments in immunology measuring changes in cell surface expression of co-stimulatory molecules and intracellular expression of cytokines. Evaluate and critique research data from immunology experiments involving the detection of inflammatory biomarkers. 5. Write concise and informative laboratory reports. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
Workshop 1: Theory and practice of analytical Instrumentation. Workshop on HPLC theory, analysis and practice; Workshop on qPCR theory, analysis and practice. Workshop II: Chemotherapeutic agent on cancer cell growth. Lab 1: Establish the growth curve of SW480 cells. Lab 2: Determine the response of SW480 cells to serum. Lab 3: Perform MTS and Acid Phosphatase 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 interpretation Workshop III: Immune suppressive properties of a novel drug candidate. Lab 1: Establish an in vitro model to examine the immune suppressive properties of a novel drug candidate. Lab 2: Perform an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biochemical assays to measure cytokine release. Lab 3: Establish the therapeutic index of the drug using an in vitro model. Lab 4: Evaluate and critique research data involving the detection of inflammatory biomarkers. Tutorial on data interpretation and presentation Workshop IV: Flow cytometry and evaluating and critiquing research data. Tutorial in Flow Cytometry and demonstration of Flow Cytometer. Group table quiz on investigative methods in cell and molecular biology. Workshop on data interpretation and critique –cancer biology. Workshop on data presentation and critique - immunology. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||