Explore UCD

UCD Home >

PHYS40100

Academic Year 2026/2027

Analysis of protein distribution in tissues - Immunohistochemistry (PHYS40100)

Subject:
Physiology
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Medicine
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor John Baugh
Trimester:
Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is designed to provide an introduction to antibody-based techniques for assessing protein distribution in cells (immunocytochemistry) or tissues (immunohistochemistry) with an emphasis on assay design and development. The primary aim of this module is to give students hands-on laboratory experience in immunocytochemistry and/or immunohistochemistry, and an understanding of the various controls that are necessary to ensure reliable data.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the basic principles of immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry. These include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

a. Protein processing
i. Intracellular processing, secretion, extracellular matrix

b. Tissue processing
i. Fixation
ii. Embedding
iii. Sectioning

c. Antigen retrieval

d. Antibody selection

e. Colour or fluorescence-based visualisation

f. Blocking non-specific antibody binding

g. Problems with autofluorescence or endogenous peroxidase activity

h. Relevant controls

i. Assay optimisation

j. Imaging techniques

2. Demonstrate laboratory competence in performing tasks relating to Learning Outcome 1.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

12
Laboratories

60
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module involves approximately ten weeks of laboratory-based practical activity.
Students will work closely with a research active supervisor.
Teaching will involve laboratory work; active/task-based learning; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Report(s): Laboratory Report Week 15 Graded No
100
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

After the laboratory reports have been graded individual feedback will be available.

Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.