Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Advanced Methodologies in Experimental Research and Data Analysis
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Questions may be answered before or after each class or during the individual tutorials at an arranged time.
Professor responsible for the subject: Sebastian Zagmutt (szagmutt@uic.es)
Introduction
The aim of this course is to provide students a basic understanding and theoretical overview of advanced techniques commonly used in biomedical research, as well as hands-on experience with selected methods.
The course will also provide students training in data analysis through the use of reference managing software/programs and teach them to propose the techniques necessary to answer a research question.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisites
Objectives
To gain a basic understanding of many research methods used in biomedical science.
To gain experience in diverse fields, including cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry.
To work efficiently on an extended research project and present the project effectively to the scientific community.
To obtain and interpret data.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- C1 - Think critically about the use of usual and alternative experimentation models in biomedical research.
- C7 - Respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights, democratic and peace culture values.
- C8 - Use language that avoids androcentrism and stereotypes in oral and written media.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- K1 - Understand the different research demands in which the different experimental methodologies can be put into practice.
- K2 - Understand the concept of scientific integrity in the field of biomedical research from a critical point of view.
- K3 - Have knowledge of the main financing options for research and innovation projects, nationally and internationally.
- K4 - Demonstrate a critical and advanced understanding of a wide diversity of theories, principles and concepts, on major human diseases.
- K5 - Develop the ability to critically evaluate research in the field of biomedical sciences, assessing methodologies and, if appropriate, proposing new approaches/hypotheses.
- K6 - Have advanced knowledge of work dynamics in a biomedical research laboratory.
- K7 - Have knowledge of mechanisms that allow classifying and summarising the information that emerges from the research activity in the biomedicine laboratory.
- K8 - Develop the ability to write and publicly defend a master’s final degree project related to the area of biomedical research.
- S1 - Analyse and critically manage the advanced research methodologies available in the field of biomedical sciences, discussing their use in various kinds of research.
- S2 - Manage the complexity involved in research following a position of scientific integrity, including, if appropriate, a reflection on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the different cases.
- S3 - Be able to analyse, interpret and critically evaluate information, theories and complex concepts in the different areas of biomedical research.
- S4 - Have the ability to solve problems associated with practice in a biomedical research laboratory with a high degree of autonomy.
- S5 - Be able to solve hypotheses or research problems by designing, planning and executing complex experiments.
- S6 - Be able to decide which experimental methodology is most appropriate for the objectives that arise in the different fields of biomedical research.
- S7 - Be able to disseminate the research results in the biomedicine area that contribute to the knowledge of specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- S8 - Be able to argue, the of scientific results one’s own research or those of other researchers in an oral presentation.
- S9 - Be aware of how to correctly use scientific verbal and non-verbal language in oral defences.
Syllabus
I.- Cell biology module
- Cell culture
- In vitro preparations of isolated organs
- Viewing cells and their components
II.- Molecular biology module
- DNA/RNA isolation methods, quantification and electrophoresis
- Principles of cloning
- PCR
- DNA sequencing
- Modulation of gene expression
- Recombinant protein expression and purification
- Study of protein-protein interactions
- Protein engineering
III.- Biochemistry module
- Metabolomics
- Metabolic flux analysis
- Seahorse vs Oroboros for mitochondrial study
- Metabolic imaging techniques
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The training activities that will be used are as follows:
Lectures: Face-to-face and occasionally online. They represent the theoretical basis of the content of the master’s degree. In the face-to-face lectures, all students will be in the classroom attending and participating in the presentation given by the lecturers.
Case Method: In face-to-face classes, students will develop skills for detecting needs, communicating and defining and solving problems. This is mostly associated with achieving the skills mentioned in the learning outcomes. It is a type of experience-based and reflective learning that helps generate knowledge and skills. In case method activities, all students are in the classroom working in small groups (3-5 students). The teacher guides and leads the activities and makes them more dynamic.
Practicums/Laboratory Work: Face-to-face, providing students the opportunity to interact with the work tools, through practical demonstrations of the theoretical knowledge they acquire.
Virtual learning: Online teaching material; the follow-up and assessment is carried out in face-to-face format (in the lectures) or in virtual forums. This promotes student autonomy.
Autonomous work: Students will be encouraged to do personal work, such as the elaboration of assignments in the different subjects, contributing to the achievement of all types of proposed learning outcomes.
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Training activities Advanced methodologies in experimental research and data analysis |
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|
Hours |
Attendance |
Students |
|
|
24 |
100% |
20 |
|
|
24 |
100% |
3 - 5 group |
|
|
10 |
100% |
2 - 3 group |
|
|
2 |
20% |
- |
|
|
90 |
0% |
- |
|
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
|
Assessment Task |
Date |
Weight |
Lecturer |
|
Scalable NGS Data Analysis Report |
|
10% |
Gonzalo Hernández |
|
Analysing real-time PCR Report |
|
10% |
Sebastián Zagmutt |
|
Workflow of a CRISPR-Cas9 experiment |
|
10% |
Cristina Reguera |
|
Assessment Lab Task |
Date |
Weight |
Lecturer |
|
Laboratory Quiz |
|
20% |
Erika Monelli/Sebastián Zagmutt |
|
Final exam |
Date |
Weight |
Lecturer |
|
Case study final exam (oral and written) |
|
50% (25% presentation; 25% report) |
Sebastián Zagmutt |
First sitting:
- Students will be assessed by means of a practical and theoretical test that will account for 100% of the mark.
- General information about the assessment system to bear in mind:
Attendance in the theoretical and practical sessions is compulsory.
Details about the reports will be provided by the faculty member in charge.
- Quiz details: Students will take a quiz that tests the knowledge acquired in the core practical classes.
- Final exam details: Students will have one week to answer an open book/information problem-based exam. Students will be given a specific problem that they will be required to solve using the course material. The written report and oral presentation will be the basis of the final mark
- To pass the subject, students must have an average mark of 5 or higher.