Societal Challenges - Health
3
2024-2025
01016152
Biology
Portuguese
Face-to-face
SEMESTRIAL
6.0
Elective
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)
NoSyllabus
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).