Course Syllabus
Biomedical Lab |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2023 - DIS Stockholm |
| Type & Credits: |
Summer Lab & Research Session - 6 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science |
| Prerequisites: |
One year of biology, one year of chemistry, and one course with a lab component, all at university level. |
| Faculty Members: |
Paulina Mendoza, M.D. |
| Academic Support: | |
| Program Director: |
Susana LS Dietrich - sd@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
Wet lab components at external locations |
Course Description
This course provides you with conceptual understanding of methodologies employed to examine the human body at various levels of organization, from organ systems to organs, tissues, cells, and molecules. This course provides you with corresponding hands-on training on common procedures utilized in biomedical research and medical diagnostics. You learn how to measure common physiological parameters, utilize basic clinical equipment, culture mammalian cells, and conduct cellular and molecular-based assays to evaluate protein expression profiles. In addition, you learn how to design biomedical experimentation and critically analyze results from biomedical testing.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the course students should be able:
- To identify physiological parameters associated with different types of medical tests
- To describe the rationale and methodology behind some common biomedical tests and laboratory-based assays
- To analyze and interpret the results of biomedical tests and laboratory-based assays, and correlate them with particular clinical scenarios.
- To correctly execute various biomedical tests and laboratory-based assays
- To recommend specific tests and assays to diagnose or research medical scenarios
- To learn how to design, conduct, control, analyze and report laboratory-based testing
Faculty
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Paulina Mendoza M.D. (La Salle University, Mexico City, 2019). M. Sc. Nutrition Science (Karolinska Universitet, 2021). Previous employment at the Military Central Hospital in Mexico City (2019-2020). With DIS since 2021. |
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Chenhong Lin M.D. (Jilin University, 2008-2015). Ph.D. (Karolinska Institutet, 2016-2021). With DIS since 2022. |
Reading
Relevant readings will be provided for a full understanding of the methodology being used in the course:
- Scientific articles
- Book chapters
- Educational videos
Wet Lab/Lab work
The course will include 3/4 practical hands-on laboratory-based sessions.
Examples of activities/techniques planned to be addressed/performed:
Module I- Biometrics:
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Eye Tracking
- IV insertion & blood sampling.
- Fitness test
- Electrodermal Activity (EDA) / Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
- Electrocardiography
- Photoplethysmography (PPG).
- Blood pressure
Module II- Wet Lab techniques- Immunology assays:
- Bacteria transformation
- Plasmid DNA extraction- Miniprep
- Restriction enzyme digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis
- Transfection of JAK2mt/JAK2wt
- Blood smear and buffy coat processing
- Flow cytometry
- Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
- Cell counting
- ELISA
Module III- Wet Lab Techniques- Molecular biology:
- RNA extraction
- cDNA synthesis
- PCR on cDNA
- Analysis of PCR reactions
- qPCR on cDNA
- Analysis of qPCR results
- Protein extracts for Western blot
- Bradford assay
- Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)
- Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL)
Approach to teaching
Students will be introduced to scientific background and methodology required to understand the rationale behind the design of biomedical testing and laboratory-based assays. Teaching will heavily rely on hands-on execution of biomedical tests and laboratory-based assays. This course will emphasize the utility of particular methodologies for diagnostic and research purposes. Students will develop the ability of adapting methodologies to address more complex questions. Importantly, students will learn how to analyze, document and report obtained results.
Expectations of the students
Students are expected to come prepared for class and actively participate in all planned activities. In addition students are expected to carefully monitor, analyze and report details and results from tests and laboratory-based work.
Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.
The factors influencing the final grade and their weights are reported in the following table:
|
Class participation |
20% |
| Documentation of laboratory work/progress | 10% |
|
Biometrics assignment |
10% |
|
Class reports and quizzes |
30% |
| Final case assignment | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Evaluation
Class participation covers the following areas:
- Attendance and level of preparation
- Contribution to class discussions
- Respect to the locations, DIS staff, and fellow classmates
Class participation is an important part of the course and to receive full credit students have to be present at all the scheduled classes and actively participate.
Documentation of laboratory work/progress
This includes:
- Preparation work needed for each experimental procedure
- Keeping the lab book updated when required
Biometrics assignment
Students will get a patient case and will suggest an appropriate course of clinical and paraclinical investigations leading to a preliminary diagnosis. More details will be provided in class.
Class reports and quizzes
In order to test knowledge and understanding on different steps and techniques the students will be asked to:
- Hand in reports
- Answer quizzes
Final case assignment
In order to assess the full understanding of the courses' goals and purpose, students will have to prepare two separate assignments:
1. Clinical assignment
2. Laboratory assignment
More details will be provided in class.
Academic Regulations
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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