Biotechnology

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof. Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a scientific discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

The aims of the course are as follows:

- To provide an understanding of the theory and practice of techniques required in the study of human genetics.
- To provide an understanding of the strategies and approaches used in isolating genes.
- To provide practical experience in gene cloning and related techniques.

The course will include lectures, tutorials and practicals. The curriculum provides a range of molecular technologies for the study of genetic phenomena including the cloning and expression of genes using vector systems; the application of molecular information and genetic linkage analysis to locate genes; the utilisation transgenic mice as disease models; practical experience in the cloning and analysis of a gene; searching for gene; searching for genetic variants using DNA technologies.

Structure

Assessment

Examination (60%), practical (40%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Garry Walsh

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

- Immunity to infection 1: The acute phase response to bacteria and persistent infections.
- Immunity to infection 2: The innate response to viruses; NK cells; interferons, virus infection.
- Immunity to infection 3: Parasites: Evasion by and immunity to protozoa, interactions between parasitic protozoa and the immune system (trypanosmes and Leishmania).
- Vaccination, epitope mapping. Adjuvants.
- Blook transfusion: responses to aloantigens, tissue typing, GVH disease. Rhesus blood groups and disease.
- Transplant rejection: immunosuppression and tolerance.

Structure

15 one-hour lectures/tutorials over the duration of the course.

Assessment

1 written examination (60%); essay (40%).

Credit Points

0

Course Coordinator

Dr Garry Walsh

Pre-requisites

None

Overview

A refresher course focusing on key basic aspects of immunology.
The basic building blocks of the innate and adaptive immune systems.
The complement system: activation pathways and regulation, role in inflammation.
The humoral immune response I:
Antibody/antigen recognision, generation of antibody diversity.
The humoral response II:
Activation of B cells. Affinity maturation and memory of the response.
Antigen presenting cells: endogenous and exogenous antigen processing and presentation. Co-stimulation.
The cellular response I:
T cell antigen receptor recognition. MHC molecules, T cell antigen receptors, activation of T cells, co-stimulation.
The cellular response II:
T cell functions, Cytotoxic T cells, T helper subsets.
Immune regulation: Cytokines, regulatory cells and manipulation of the immune response.
Inflammation 1: leukocyte traffic, integrins and extravasation in nodes and tissues.
Inflammation 2: molecular basis of lymphocyte homing, chemokines.

Series of tutorials consolidating knowledge and skills necessary for more advanced courses.

Structure

Minimum of 20 lectures and tutorials to achieve course aims.

Assessment

None.

Credit Points

25

Course Coordinator

Dr Heather Wallace

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

This applied course will cover the latest developments in small molecule drug discovery and development. The course will progress logically through the process of identifying and characterising lead drug candidates to the point when they enter clinical trials. Much of the course will focus on the two main areas: 1) the latest screening protocols for lead identification from large compound libraries. 2) The inherent toxicity problems of synthetic, small molecule drugs. The second component of the course will cover in detail the steps taken to minimise any unwanted side effects in drugs used for therapy. Wherever possible the course will use real clinical examples to deliver its applied message effectively and clearly. The course will also include presentations from industry professionals.

Structure

Lectures, tutorials, seminars.

Assessment

Presentation (20%), essay (20%), flyer (10%), examination (50%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Prof Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

This course will challenge you to think about the nature of research when driven by commercial outcomes. Future recruitment opportunities may involve roles in bio-business development rather than exclusively research at the bench. This course hopes to place you at a competitive advantage when seeking such career paths.

In the biotechnology arena the commercial process of drug discovery and development costs significant sums but the risks of failure are also very high. You will gain insight into the way this risk and cost is managed against the very large potential revenues that could be generated from a successful drug pipeline.

Structure

Lectures & tutorials.

Assessment

Two presentations (20% each), one essay 60%

Credit Points

25

Course Coordinator

Prof Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

This course will focus on the new and developing area of large molecule therapeutics. The inherent toxicity problems of synthetic, small molecule drugs are never out of the news causing safety concerns for patients and wiping billions off drug company valuations. Biologics or large molecule drugs are typically derived from natural sources and early indications would suggest that they are safe, efficacious and profitable. This course will focus on the use of therapeutic antibodies and immunopeptides for the treatment of a wide variety of clinical conditions. Wherever possible the course will use real clinical examples to deliver its applied message effectively and clearly. The course will also include presentations from industry professionals.

Structure

Series of lectures & research tutorials.

Assessment

Group presentation (20%), flyer (20%), 2 essays (30% each).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Steve Tucker

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

The acquisition of laboratory competency is an important part of graduate education, especially given the importance of the research project within the framework of the MSc degree programme. As such, this course aims to introduce many aspects of laboratory procedure and practice, with an emphasis on both understanding and applying these skills within the laboratory. The completion of the "task test-tick" assessment record is evidence that core laboratory skills have been successfully acquired.

Structure

The course consists of a variety of teaching tutorials and demonstrations aimed at instilling understanding of laboratory procedures. Practical sessions will then allow students to develop competency and confidence in a broad range of laboratory techniques.

Assessment

Examination (100%).

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr Heather Wallace; Professor AJR Porter

Pre-requisites

60 credits from first half session on any PGT programme in Medicine and Medical Sciences. (This course will not be offered to PGT students undertaking degree programmes already containing more extensive Bio-Business options, e.g. Medical Biotechnology with Bio-Business).

Overview

A series of lectures and tutorials which cover the 'language' of bio-business using a number of real case studies from companies in the medical sciences space. E.g. What is a company? What is management? How do markets work? decision Making process.

Assessment 1: Students will prepare a presentation in small groups that describes a medical science technology company of their choice. The emphasis within the presentation will be to 'sell' the commercial entity concentrating on explaining the business model of chosen business.
Assessment 2: One 1500 word essay. Title will be in area of competitor analysis of a particular clinical indication.

Structure

Assessment

Continuous assessment 100%: group presentation (50%), essay (50%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

This course will challenge students to think about the nature of research when driven by commercial outcomes. Many of the future recruitment opportunities for students with biotechnology skills may involve roles in bio-business development rather than exclusively research at the bench. This course hopes to put our students to be at a competitive advantage when seeking such career opportunities (particularly when compared to those students that only have a traditional scientific background).

This course assumes a basic understanding of the terminology and drivers of bio-business. In a series of "virtual" business settings the students will begin to apply this basic understanding and start appreciating in more detail the process, goals, commercial and scientific milestones that govern a successful biotechnology enterprise.

Structure

Assessment

Essay (30%), group presentation (30%), executive summary on virtual business (40%).

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Prof Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

The majority of the work carried out will be student directed. Guidance will be given via project supervisors and a series of informal tutorial and laboratory meetings. To allow the maximum benefit to be gained by students taking this course, the MSc programme has been designed to have already equipped students with the required scientific background (extended essay) and practical skills to make rapid progress from day one in the laboratory.

Structure

Laboratory meetings and tutorial meetings with supervisor. On average 1 h face to face a week plus additional access when required. This will increase to several hours per week as the project laboratory bench time finishes, thesis write up begins together with the preparation of presentation etc.

Assessment

Thesis (65%), presentation/VIVA (25%), lab book (10%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Prof Andy Porter

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

The majority of the work carried out will be student directed. Guidance will be given via project supervisors and a series of informal tutorial sessions. Much of the early work will require library research. The students will be provided with a few key references to enable them to begin this task. The early part of the MSc programme will have already equipped the students will all the necessary skills required to tackle hard copy and on-line data and literature retrieval.

Structure

Assessment

100% continuous. A 6500 word extended essay.

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr H Wallace

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2II or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students, appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

The majority of the work carried out will be student directed. Guidance will be given via project supervisors and a series of informal tutorial sessions. Much of the early work will require library research. The students will be provided with a few key references to enable them to begin this task. The early part of the MSc programme will have already equipped the students will all the necessary skills required to tackle hard copy and on-line data and literature retrieval.

Structure

Assessment

100% continuous. A 6500 word extended essay.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof. A Porter; Mr R. Williams

Pre-requisites

Registered for the MBA in Biotechnology.

Overview

x

Structure

15 hours in total, split between lectures and interactive workshops.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment, consisting of an individually prepared written assignment, contributing 75% and submitted after the formal teaching period, and an individual presentation (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr H. Wallace; Mr R. Williams

Pre-requisites

Registered for MBA in Biotechnology.

Overview

x

Structure

15 Hours in total, split between lectures and interactive workshops.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment, consisting of an individually prepared written assignment, contributing 75% and submitted after the formal teaching period, and an individual presentation (25%).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Prof A Porter; Mr R. Williams

Pre-requisites

Registered for the MBA in Biotechnology.

Overview

The course will combine theory with practical examples to explore the drug discovery/development and commercialisation process. This will be achieved through a combination of lectures, seminars and case study analysis.

Structure

15 hours in total, split between lectures, seminars and interactive workshops.

Assessment

100% continuous assessment, consisting of an individually prepared written assignment, contributing 75% and submitted after the formal teaching period, and an individual presentation (25%).

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr H. Wallace; Prof. A. Porter

Pre-requisites

Students undertaking this module must be registered for the MBA in Biotechnology.

Overview

The substantial part of this course is the industrial placement/consultancy project, where students are given the opportunity to work for an organisation for a limited time with the goal of completing agreed tasks. The placement is expected to run for 5 months.

The nature of the work to be undertaken by the student in the placement will be agreed between the supervisor (a faculty member), the sponsoring organisation and the student at the start off the internship.

Structure

This course will not involve classroom teaching.

Each student undertaking this course would be allocated a supervisor who liaises with the sponsoring organisation.

Students are required to consult their supervisors as arranged between them.

Assessment

Practical Performance Log: Reflective journal where the student is expected to reflect the issues and obstacles surrounding their tasks in placement (contributing 20% of total marks).
5000 word project (contributing 60% of the total of marks) and Presentation (contributing 20% of the total marks).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Steve Tucker

Pre-requisites

Enrolment on a postgraduate MSc course within the School of Medicine and Dentistry or School of Medical Sciences

Overview

The course combines lecture-based learning, with tutorials and laboratory practicals, aimed to enhance understanding of laboratory practice, techniques and safety.

In the wet practical classes the students will begin with the basics of making solutions, buffers etc and will progress to more complex quantitative assays requiring data generation, interpretations and presentation of results. At all stages in this process the emphasis will be maintained on good safe laboratory practice to build the skills and confidence of individuals.

Throughout the course a variety of formative MCQ assessments and other tasks will be performed to help complete a checklist task test tick (TTT) certificate, which will act as a technique portfolio for prospective project supervisors.

A laboratory notebook will also be completed throughout the course to encourage good laboratory practice. This will be formatively assessed at the end of the course and feedback given on strengths and weaknesses.

Structure

1 one-hour lecture per day and daily practical sessions of approximately 3-5 hour duration

Assessment

A three-hour written exam based upon the material covered in the course including some calculations, experimental theories and data interpretation.