Translational Biology and Biomedicine

Year
3
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01016126
Subject Area
Biology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Other Languages of Instruction
English
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Strong basic knowledge (both conceptual and technical) in Biochemistry, Cell, Developmental and Molecular Biology (aquired after 2 years of B.Sc. level studies). English knowledge.

Teaching Methods

The classes will be compacted for maximum focus, and, after revisions, students will have to:

1-Identify approaches used in scientific papers and offer solutions to concrete problems (Mini-Tests).

2-Prepare proposals for translational projects, to be presented orally and in writing. Depth, research, integration, and communication will be valued, and a densified grid used for evaluation. Ideally this work is individual, if in group there will be clearly identified responsibilities, to allow for an individual evaluation.

Learning Outcomes

With this curricular unit students are intended to apply previous competences in Biochemistry, Physiology, Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology to:

1-Identify the steps involved in translating basic research to biomedical applications.

2-Evaluate original research articles to determine the potential long-term goal. Recognize the characteristics of each work in terms of its limitations and advantages (models used, type of interventions, number of experiments performed, control groups, etc.)

3-Be able to autonomously search for research papers subordinated to the same theme, in order to build a global vision of an area of intervention.

4-Be able to rigorously document and validate the information collected.

5-Understand concepts related to underlying scientific, business and ethical interests.

6-Outline original ideas about possible projects to develop based on autonomously researched literature.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Translational Biology and Precision Medicine. Definitions.

2. Review of study models used in biology. Cell cultures, animal models, patient samples. In vivo, in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo assays. Advantages and limitations.

3. Review of advanced techniques in cell and molecular biology. Advantages and limitations.

4. Contemporary problems in translational biology and biomedicine, and how they are being addressed. Priorities, funding and agendas. Rare diseases and "orphan" problems.

5. Steps in building a workable project. Importance of multidisciplinary research. Career management

6. Steps needed in applying basic knowledge in biotechnology and biomedicine. Proof of concept, scale up, clinical trials.

7. Examples of success and failure in the areas of gene therapy, regenerative medicine, cellular reprogramming, or search for new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

8. Ethical, legal and communication issues.

Head Lecturer(s)

João Ramalho de Sousa Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 35.0%
Project: 65.0%

Bibliography

D. ROBERTSON & G.H. WILLIAMS eds. (2017) Clinical and Translational Science. 2nd Edition. Academic Press Inc.

S. GILBERT & M. BARRESI, SINAUER (2016). Developmental Biology. 11th edition. Sinauer.

F. COLLINS (2011) The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine. HarperCollins.

 

Artigos de investigação e de revisão recentes nas áreas cobertas pela disciplina constituirão a maior parte da bibliografia. Recent Review and relevant Research articles in the fields covered during the course will constitute the main bibliography.