Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Techniques for Biomedical Analysis I
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Questions will be answered before or after class. Answers to non-face-to-face questions will be given by videoconference.
Introduction
Techniques for biomedical analysis I is a subject that provides the theoretical and practical knowledge about the necessary instrumental techniques for the study of macromolecules.
The fundamentals of instrumental techniques, their application in the biomedicine field and the analysis of the results will be studied.
Pre-course requirements
No course is required as a prerequisite; however, knowledge of the concepts of atoms and molecular structure, biochemistry and cell biology is strongly recommended.
Objectives
- To know the photometric and electrochemical measurement principle used to determine the concentrations of analytes in clinical chemistry.
- To know the techniques that are used to separate molecules and their respective fundamentals.
- To understand the fundamentals of techniques based on a reaction of antigens with antibodies that are used to determine different molecul
- To know the commonly used techniques for the study of nucleic acids and molecular diagnostics.
- To understand the omics approaches designed to detect the entire spectrum of particular components.
- To analyze and interpret the results obtained from the different techniques applied in the biomedicine field.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB01 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study that is based on general secondary education, and it tends to be found at a level that, although it is based on advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting-edge of their field of study.
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CE16 - To identify and know how to apply the instrumental and experimental techniques from disciplines in the field of Biomedical Sciences, as well as the technology related to the biomedical, healthcare and industrial fields.
- CG03 - To use and critically value biomedical techniques.
- CG07 - To incorporate basic concepts related to the field of biomedicine both at a theoretical and an experimental level.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student:
- Knows the fundamental theoretical bases of the different experimentation techniques used in the field of biomedicine
- Applies the different technical and methodological sources used in biomedical research, emphasizing current and relevant techniques in the field of biomedical sciences.
- Selects and describes which technique is the most appropriate for the study of a specific macromolecule.
- Knows and handles instrumentation for a specific measurement purpose.
- Interprets the results obtained by the main techniques applied in biomedical research.
- Suggests the most appropriate methodologies to solve a problem focused on biomedical research.
Syllabus
Unit 1: Physical-chemical techniques for biomedical analysis.
Electromagnetic radiation, atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, molecular absorption spectroscopy, scattering spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques. Fundamentals and applications in the biomedical field.
Unit 2: Method for the separation and characterization of macromolecules
Types of chromatography: column, partition, ion-exchange, exclusion, affinity, gas and high-affinity liquid. Electrophoresis and other macromolecule separation techniques
Unit 3: immunochemistry technologies
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Antigen-antibody reaction. Agglutination techniques and precipitation reactions. Immunoassay with labeled reagents.
Unit 4: Molecular diagnostics techniques
Isolation and quantification of genetic material. Amplification techniques. Hybridization of nucleic acids. Sequencing techniques. Applications in the biomedical field
Unit 5: Integration of analytical techniques.
Techniques for the study of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides.
Unit 6: Omics technologies
Fundamentals and applications of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.
Unit 7: Metrological and semiological aspects of clinical laboratory.
Pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases of the clinical laboratory. Metrology. Values and quantities. Qualitology. Control materials. Biological variability and reference values. Semiology.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures: 50-minute presentation of a theoretical topic by the instructor. Visual support is used in power point format to help to understand the explanations.
Clinical cases or case methods (MC): statement of a real or imaginary situation. Students work in small groups on the questions posed by the instructor (or in interaction with the instructor) and the answers are discussed. The instructor interacts with the students and, if necessary, explains new concepts.
Virtual education (VE): online material available on Moodle that the student can consult from any computer, at any time which will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Laboratory practices (LP): Practical sessions where experimental techniques related to the syllabus covered in lectures are developed. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources in a Biochemistry laboratory.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1) Students in the first sitting:
- Participation in class and attitude: 5%
- Mid-term exam: 20%
- Resolution of case methods: 15%
- Laboratory: 10%
- Final exam: 50%
2) Students in the second sitting: same criteria as in the first sitting.
3) Students retaking the subject: participation in class/attitude, laboratory and case methods grades will be kept in their profiles, although, whenever they wish, students will be able to repeat class attendance and obtain a new grade.
General points to consider about the evaluation system:
In the final exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained before calculating the average with the marks of continuous evaluation (Laboratory, case, attitude and partial methods). The exams will be a test format (choice of 4 answers) and short-answer question. The contents of the lectures, case methods and laboratory practices will be taken into account.
At the beginning of the laboratory sessions, the students will take a test that covers the contents of the session that is going to be delivered. At the end of the practical activity, students must produce a report that reflects the laboratory work, both at the level of operations carried out during the session and the results obtained from it. Therefore, 10% of laboratory practices will be the average of the tests at the beginning of the session and the reports generated in each laboratory.
The development of the case methods will be in a group (these groups will continue throughout the course). At the end of the session, each group must prepare a report on (the development of) the activity that has been assigned and will be available to all students. For the next class of the case method, the students will take a test (individual) that covers the contents of all the reports generated. Of the 15% assigned to the resolution of the case methods, 5% relates to attendance and 10% to the average of the tests carried out.
Attendance:
- Regular attendance at lectures and case methods is recommended. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory, but students must follow the standards indicated by the instructors. The expulsion of a student from lectures or case methods will have a negative impact on the evaluations.
- Attendance at practical lessons is mandatory and students must attend in the assigned groups. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom will mean an automatic fail of the subject.
- Attendance at case methods is optional. In order to be evaluated in this part of the subject attendance at a minimum of 7 sessions is required as well as participation in the activities provided in the session.
In the granting of honors, among the candidates, special consideration will be given to their participation and involvement in the different methodologies of the subject, as well as respect for the basic rules.
The improper use of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops may result in class expulsion. Misuse is understood as the recording and dissemination of students or teachers during the different lessons, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Bibliography and resources
- Drs. Pilar Roca, Jordi Oliver, Ana Mª Rodríguez, (2003). Bioquímica: Técnicas y Métodos. Helice
- Roberta Reed, Ph.D. Bioquímica clínica serie de guías de formación. Abbot
- J. M. González de Buitrago, (2010). Técnicas y métodos del laboratorio clínico 3rd Edition. Elsevier
- Graphpad
- Microsoft Excel
- Calculator
- ImageJ
Evaluation period
- E1 17/01/2025 A21 18:00h
- R1 29/01/2025 11:00h
- E2 18/06/2025 A04 09:00h