Teaching code

4S011598

Credits

6

Coordinator

Not yet assigned

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

BIO/13 - EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY

Courses Single

Not Authorized

Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

The teaching is organized as follows:

Program

THEORY
Introduction to experimental design.
Definition of the hypothesis.
The experimental system: model system, validation of the system, specificity and sensitivity of the system.
iological models: primary and immortalized cells, 3D culture models, organoids, induced pluripotent stem cells, model organisms.
The experiment: the variables, correlative and manipulative experiments, the controls.
Hidden variables and pitfalls in in vivo experiments. Variation and need for replication. Interindividual variation.
Replications: replications and repetitions. Biological and technical replications. Experimental repetitions.
Sample size, power and rigor of experimental design.
The structure of an experiment.
Data measurement and analysis. Model construction.
Conducting the experiment: suggestions and best practices. Pilot experiment and troubleshooting. Problem based learning: signal-to-noise ratio. Orthogonal validation.
LABORATORY
Design and execution of experiments using cell cultures as biological models and different biological readouts as measurable variables, including expression of genes and proteins, production of cytokines.
Data analysis.
Discussion of experimental results.
Discussion of scientific articles regarding topics covered in class.

Didactic methods

The lectures are integrated with a problem-based learning approach and laboratory activities. The lessons are supported by PowerPoint presentations, videos and scientific articles made available on the Moodle platform. The teacher is available to receive students throughout the academic year, upon request for an appointment via e-mail.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam is made up of three distinct parts:
1) a written test, with multiple choice questions, on the topics covered during the theoretical lessons;
2) an individual report on the activities carried out in the laboratory;
3) presentation and discussion of a scientific article with particular attention to the experimental design of the study. The exam method is the same for non-attending students and for Erasmus students.

Evaluation criteria

For the examination of the Experimental design and research models module, the following will be assessed: knowledge of the topics covered in class; the ability to make connections between the various topics covered and the ownership of scientific language; teamwork skills, in-depth study of the topic and critical reasoning and communication skills. The overall mark, out of thirty, is the average of the evaluation obtained in the three parts (written exam, laboratory report and presentation of a scientific article).

Exam language

Inglese

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