BMOL40400 Core Techniques in Biomolecular and Biomedical Science

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module has been designed as a group activity in which students work collaboratively to carry out an 8 week, lab based project that provides training in a wide range of commonly used techniques in Biomolecular and Biomedical research. These typically include: cloning and expression of reporter plasmids, growth and maintenance of mammalian cells (including induced pluripotent stem cells), Western blotting, next generation genomic approaches (eg single cell RNA-seq, single cell ATAC seq), gene expression analysis (Taqman), confocal imaging and bioinformatics. These core skills will be used in the context of a Research Project which typically aims to investigate critical aspects of cell responses to drugs, in this instance dynamic regulation of gene accessibility and expression in stem cell derived neuronal assemblies (mini-brains) exposed to cocaine.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to
1. Generate a hypothesis related to a specified area of research
2. Design and execute experiments to test this hypothesis, employing a set of commonly used bimolecular techniques, typically including cloning and expression of reporter plasmids, growth and maintenance of mammalian cells (including induced pluripotent stem cells), Western blotting, next generation genomic approaches (eg single cell RNA-seq, single cell ATAC seq), gene expression analysis (Taqman), confocal imaging and bioinformatics.
3. Accurately and succinctly record and report experimental data
4. Communicate results in an intelligible, and scientifically meaningful manner

Indicative Module Content:

As per Module descriptor, this module provides training in a wide range of commonly used techniques in Biomolecular and Biomedical research. These typically include: cloning and expression of reporter plasmids, growth and maintenance of mammalian cells (including induced pluripotent stem cells), Western blotting, next generation genomic approaches (eg single cell RNA-seq, single cell ATAC seq), gene expression analysis (Taqman), confocal imaging and bioinformatics. These core skills will be used in the context of a Research Project which typically aims to investigate critical aspects of cell responses to drugs, in this instance dynamic regulation of gene accessibility and expression in stem cell derived neuronal assemblies (mini-brains) exposed to cocaine.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

0
Tutorial

8
Seminar (or Webinar)

4
Laboratories

340
Total

352
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
An introductory class followed by a laboratory safety induction will take place towards the end of week 1 of the first Trimester, -the project beginning at the start of week 2. The laboratory will be supervised and accessible to students between the hours of 9 AM to 6 PM. It is expected that outside of timetabled lectures, students are present in the laboratory as required.

Additional materials, including a manual, recommended reading and video training guides will all be made available on Brightspace. It is expected that students familiarise themselves with the background of techniques prior to the beginning of practical training. Students are also required to maintain a lab book throughout the course of the project and this forms part of the grading process (15%). Students will also be assessed on performance and effort (15%) while a short thesis (5000 words) will form the majority of the grade (70%).
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Attendance: The Primary supervisor and his staff will be responsible for grading students on engagement and attendance. The expectation is that students will attend the laboratory at all times as directed. Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Assignment: The thesis will be written as a short paper, with a word count of 5000, excluding references and figure legends. The thesis should contain an abstract of no more than 250 words. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

70
Continuous Assessment: Students are required to accurately record their methods and results in a hardbacked laboratory notebook, contemporaneously. Throughout the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

15

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Ms Mary Doran Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Hesborn Oburah Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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