Societal Challenges - Health

Year
3
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01016152
Subject Area
Biology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Elective
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

Basic knowledge in Biology (Physiology, Ecology, Cell and Molecular Biology).

Teaching Methods

Master classes, discussion of articles and pieces published in the media, in both individual and group exercises.

Learning Outcomes

Students should acquire skills in identifying and decoding relevant contemporary biological challenges in Biotechnology and Health, and how they can be framed from various points of view (social, ethical, legal, economic). They should be able to formulate and test hypotheses or propose activities that address different types of biological problems and acquire the tools to discuss and communicate biological issues for different types of audiences. They should be able to acknowledge how a professional in the field may participate in different types of activities, and how to help meet contemporary societal challenges, for example related with sequencing and genetic manipulation, the development of novel production strateteges for relevant biological materials, or of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, or personalized medicine.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

General framing of some of the challenges and problems and challenges in contemporary Biology, focusing on Biotechnology and Health, and ongoing projects with in international relevance. Topics may include:

From basic biology to translational and clinical applications. Steps and obstacles. Clinical trials and Bioentrepreneurship.

Discovery and validation of novel therapeutic or diagnostic tools (antibiotics, metabolites, neuromodulators)

Screening of molecules (natural products, microRNAs, etc.) to uncover promising candidates for future implementation.

Mass production of biologically relevant materials (molecules, cells, tissues, organisms) using genetic modifications and bioreactors

Personalized medicine (genome sequencing and annotation, pharmacogenomics, targeted gene therapy, regenerative medicine)

Emerging infectious diseases.

Legal, Ethical and science communication issues (to be discussed transversely in all topics).

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulo Fernando Martins dos Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Mini Tests: 25.0%
Apresentação de trabalho: 75.0%

Bibliography

COMMITTEE ON A NEW BIOLOGY FOR THE 21rst CENTURY (2009) A New Biology for the 21rst Century. National Research Council; The National Academies Press.

H. KUHSE, P. SINGER (2006) Bioethics: An Anthology (2nd Ed.). Blackwell Publishing.

F. COLLINS (2011) The  Revolution of Personalized Medicine. Harper.

Outra bibliografia relevante e atual em diferentes tipos de formatos (artigos científicos, livros, relatórios)/Other relevant recent bibliography in different formats (scientific articles, books, reports).