Translational Medicine: From Bench to Bedside

CC 2.0, John Voo, lungs-viruses-bacteria-disease, Dec 9, 2015

 

Semester & Location:	Fall 2019 - DIS Stockholm
Type & Credits:	Core Course - 3 credits
Core Course Study Tours:	Sweden, London
Major Disciplines:	Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science
Faculty Member:	Natalia Landázuri, Ph.D.
Program Director:	Susana Dietrich
Time & Place:	Mondays & Thursdays, 14:50-16:10, 1D-509

Course Description

This course provides students with insight into state-of-the-art research and research application in the biomedical field. Students will interact with practitioners, medical researchers and other scientists, who specialize in research in selected acute and chronic diseases. The emphasis is the dynamic relationship between laboratory research and bedside clinical research with the purpose of providing optimal patient therapies. Students will learn how research results guide clinical therapies and diagnostics, and vice versa. Doctors and scientists will provide real-life examples of translational medicine practices and give students exposure to analyzing and developing diagnostic tools and treatment protocols.

During field studies and study tours students will observe the process of translational research as performed by clinicians and scientists at hospitals and biomedical research institutions. In addition, they will learn about translational medicine approaches in Sweden and the UK.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Distinguish between preclinical and clinical research leading to the development of novel patient-oriented solutions
• Describe in vitro and in vivo preclinical approaches and explain how these are developed, implemented and utilized for the development of novel patient-oriented solutions
• Describe different phases of clinical trials leading to the translation of investigational therapies to the clinic
• Analyze and interpret translational case studies leading to real-life precision medicine regimens
• Reflect on the importance of translational medicine and implications to clinical practice and scientific advancement
• Describe future trends in the field of translational medicine

 

Faculty

Natalia Landázuri Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA (2005).  Post-doctoral fellow, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Associate Professor Biomedicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Research in genetic engineering, regenerative medicine, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. With DIS since 2017.

Required Readings

• Principles of Translational Science in Medicine. From Bench to Bedside, 2^nd ed. Martin Wehling (2015) Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2.1.1-3, 2.1.5-6
  • Chapter 3.7.1
  • Chapter 4.1
  • Chapter 5

• Scientific Publications
• Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Translational and Clinical Outlook, Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng., 2015.
• Gene Therapy 2017: Progress and Future Directions, Clin. Transl. Sci., 2017
• Role of Homeostasis in Human Physiology: A Review, Journal of Medical Physiology & Therapeutics, 2017.
• Biomanufacturing of Therapeutic Cells: State of the Art, Current Challenges, and Future Perspectives, Annu. Rev. Chem. Biomol. Eng., 2016
• Cell vehicle targeting strategies, Gene Therapy, 2008
• Visualization and analysis of gene expression in tissue sections by spatial transcriptomics, Science, 2016
• Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells and the innate immune system, Nat. Rev. Immunol, 2012
• Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: New Directions, Cell Stem Cell, 2012
• Epidemiology of Heart Failure, Circ Res, 2013

 

Field studies

Students will participate in two field studies. They will learn about the Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine (awarded every year in Stockholm).

• Discoveries at the Nobel museum
• 2nd field study: TBA

 

Guest Lecturers

Magnus  Bäcklund, M.D., Ph.D.

Cecilia Österholm Corbascio, Ph.D.

Approach to Teaching

Classes may contain a mixture of lecture-based teaching, discussions, critical analysis of readings and research, and group exercises. Students are expected to engage actively in classroom discussions, oral presentations and group work/exercises. In addition, students will participate in short and long study tours, and in field studies.The course does not provide regular medical training corresponding to that of medical students and does not include shadowing of doctors or physical examination of patients.

 

Core Course Week and Study Tours

Core course week and study tours are integral parts of the core course. The classroom is “on the road” and theory presented in the classroom is applied in the field. Students will travel with classmates and DIS faculty/staff on two study tours: a short study tour during the core course week and a long study tour to relevant European destinations.Students are expected to

• participate in all activities
• engage in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the learning objectives
• be respectful to the destination/location, the speakers, DIS staff, and fellow classmates
• represent self, home university and DIS in a positive light

While on a program study tour, DIS will provide hostel/hotel accommodation, transportation to/from the destination(s), approx. 2 meals per day and entrances, guides, and visits relevant to your area of study or the destination. You will receive a more detailed itinerary prior to departure.Travel policies:You are required to travel with your group to the destination. If you have to deviate from the group travel plans, you need approval from the program director and the study tours office.     

Expectations of the Students

• Laptops may be used for note‐taking, fact‐checking, or assignment in the classroom, but only when indicated by the instructor. At all other times laptops and electronic devices should be put away during class time.
• Reading must be done prior to the class session; a considerable part of the course is dependent on class discussions.
• Students need to be present and participating to receive full credit. The final grade will be affected by unexcused absences and lack of participation. The participation grade will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) for each unexcused absence. Remember to be in class on time!
• Classroom etiquette includes being respectful of other opinions, listening to others and entering a dialogue in a constructive manner.
• Students are expected to ask relevant questions in regards to the material covered.

 

Evaluation and Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class, all of the assigned work must be completed. Certain late assignments may be accepted, but the grade for the assignment will be reduced by 10 points (over 100) per day. The factors influencing the final grade and the weight of each factor is detailed below: 

Component	Weight
Participation	10%
2 tests (20% each)	40%
Assignments	10%
Case studies	20%
Final Project	20%

 

Participation: 

• Class attendance
• Level of preparation and ability to answer questions asked in class
• Involvement in class and group discussions
• Level of individual research and contribution to fruitful discussions

Tests:

• In class, closed-book tests to evaluate the students' knowledge and understanding of material covered in class.

Assignments

• Study Tour Assignment:
  • Generate questions to be asked during academic visits of the Study Tour
  • Preparation and presentation of group work based on academic visits
• Graded surveys in preparation for class
• Quizzes

Case Studies:

• Written report and oral presentation of case study analysis

Final Project:

• Written letter of intent in the form of a research project proposal, and presentation for an open public during the final academic showcase

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Attendance
• Coursework, Exams, and Final Grade Reports

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org 

 

DIS Contacts

Mark Peters, Academic Coordinator, mpe@disstockholm.se 
Natalia Landázuri, Faculty
Susana Dietrich, Science & Health Program Director, sd@dis.dk