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BMS 3021: Molecular medicine and biotechnology

This webpage contains information about the following topics:

 

Unit Overview

This subject aims to illustrate the recent rapid advances provided by human genetics and molecular biology in our understanding of specific human diseases, and to discuss various biotechnological initiatives in treatment strategies that have resulted in significant improvements in patient prognosis. State-of-the-art developments in molecular medicine including transgenic models of human disease, gene therapy and delivery, recent molecular developments in transplantation will be discussed. In addition, likely future developments in the field will be presented, including emerging techniques and their potential impact on biotechnology research, industry, and clinical practice. A key concept will be the use of molecular biotechnology to design targeted therapies for the treatment of human disease and the use of structural biology in rationale drug design. Specific aspects of biotechnology to be presented will include the production and use of recombinant proteins, antibody design, production and engineering, vaccine technology including DNA vaccines and commercialization of specific biotechnological products and processes.

BMS3021 consists of:

3 lectures per week
(in 2008 timetabled for Monday at 4 pm , Wednesday at 11 am and Friday at 8 am )

Small Group Activities in Weeks 1-12
(timetabled on Thursday 9 am to 12 noon )

Lecture Program

An outline is provided below

Small Group Activities

The Small Group Activities consist of 3 modules (each of 4 weeks in duration)

  • Core module (Weeks 1-4 for all the class)
  • Research process module:
    • Weeks 5-8 for half the class (cohort A)
    • Weeks 9-12 for half the class (cohort B)
  • Research-based selectives module
    • Weeks 5-8 for half the class (cohort B)
    • Weeks 9-12 for half the class (cohort A)

Allocation of students to groups for these three modules will be made as follows:

[ Note that it is very important that students attend in person the BMS3021 program on Thursday of Week 1, because not only the group allocations will be finalised then but also the mandatory session on laboratory safety will be given on that day, which all students must attend as part of the research process module.]

Core module

Assignment of students to their groups (each containing 12 students) for the Small Group Activities will be made through MUSO. Each student must sign up for a group no later than the second day of semester 1. Finalisation of these group assignments will be made on Week 1 (at the Thursday session). Students should NOT use ALLOCATE + for selection of their groups. Students will be subdivided into syndicates of 3 students for the Small Group Activities to take place in Weeks 2, 3 and 4. Students may opt to form their own syndicates during the allocation session on Thursday in Week 1.

Research process module

For this module, the class will be divided into two cohorts A and B. Students will be advised which cohort they are assigned to.

Students in Cohort A will need to sign up through MUSO for a syndicate of 3 or 4 students to interview a Researcher in the School of Biomedical Sciences. Sign up will need to be done no later than the end of Week 2. Syndicate groups will be organised into larger groups of up to 12 students for the Simple English writing activities and presentations of the Researcher profiles, taking place over Weeks 5-8.

Students in Cohort B will need to sign up through MUSO for a syndicate of 3 or 4 students to interview a Researcher in the School of Biomedical Sciences. Sign up will need to be done no later than the end of Week 6. Syndicate groups will be organised into larger groups of up to 12 students for the Simple English writing activities and presentations of the Researcher profiles, taking place over Weeks 9-12.

Research-based selectives module

For this module, the class will be divided into two cohorts A and B. Students will be advised which cohort they are assigned to.

Students in Cohort A will need to sign up through MUSO for a group of up to 12 students for a topic area. Sign up will need to be done no later than the end of Week 6. Students will be subdivided into syndicates of 3-4 students for one particular topic assignment, to take place over Weeks 9-12. Students may opt to form their own syndicates during the first meeting of the group in Week 9.

Students in Cohort B will need to sign up through MUSO for a group of up to 12 students for a topic area. Sign up will need to be done no later than the end of Week 2. Students will be subdivided into syndicates of 3-4 students for one particular topic assignment, to take place over Weeks 5-8. Students may opt to form their own syndicates during the first meeting of the group in Week 5.

Assessment

Assessment in BMS3021 is based on the following components.

64% Examinations. These are derived mostly from the lecture program in BMS3021.

10% Mid semester (1 hour): multiple choice questions

54% End of semester (3 hours): multiple choice and short answer questions

36% Small Group Activities.

12 % Core module (Assessment of performance in the three Exercises in this module: vesicle trafficking; oral research presentation, blockbusters in molecular medicine - oral presentation)

12 % Research process module (Assessment of performance in the simple English writing tasks and the presentation of the Researcher profile based on the Interview and background reading – oral presentation and webpage)

12 % Research-based selective module (Assessment of performance in the syndicate work on assigned topic – oral presentation and written summary).

 

Criteria for assessment of all activities as well as sample forms used for assessment are included in the printed BMS3021 Manual so that students can clearly see what is required of them for each of these components. Students should note that there is a requirement in BMS3021 to complete all components of assessment. Thus, in order to obtain a Pass Grade (at least) in BMS3021, students must complete ALL work requirements and participate in ALL the assessment tests.

Resources

Enrolled students can access timetables, lecture notes and supplementary materials on MUSO.

Lecture Outline

A. Introduction

Molecular medicine from womb to tomb

  1. Introduction to Molecular Medicine : Overview of the subject
  2. Molecular mechanisms in development and differentiation
  3. Molecular and biomedical aspects of ageing
  4. Vesicle trafficking in cells

B. Molecular Basis of Drug Action

Molecular pharmacology

  1. Key principles in Pharmacology
  2. Molecular aspects of drug action
  3. Drug discovery
  4. Pharmacogenetics – role in disease and drug therapy
  5. Physicochemical properties of drugs and clinical testing
  6. Drug development – from laboratory to clinic

C. Overview of Disease Mechanisms: from DNA to protein

Gene expression and protein functional defects in disease

  1. Abnormal protein function and disease
  2. Diseases of DNA repair and genomic instability
  3. RNA processing and disease

D. Manipulated proteins for therapy

Molecular biotechnology

  1. Recombinant proteins; state of the art, problems, new developments
  2. Antibodies, design production, engineering
  3. Peptides and derivatives as therapeutic agents

E. An Integrated Approach to Molecular Medicine: from disease to diagnosis to treatment

Oncology

  1. Chromosomal translocations and leukemia: identification of novel therapeutic targets
  2. Lymphoma
  3. Skin cancer
  4. Solid tumours: renal carcinoma

Lung and circulatory disease

  1. Coagulation and haemophilia
  2. Atherosclerosis and familial hypercholesterolaemia
  3. Familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL)
  4. Cystic fibrosis

Immunological aspects of molecular medicine

  1. Transplantation and autoimmunity
  2. Transgenic models of autoimmunity
  3. Lessons from animal models for manipulation of the immune system

Molecular aspects of neurodegenerative disease

  1. Prion proteins
  2. Neuroserpin and the serpinopathies
  3. Insights into the polyglutamine repeat disorders

Molecular aspects of infectious diseases

  1. Intracellular pathogens: Bacillary dysentery (shigellosis)
  2. Extracellular pathogens: Botulism and tetanus
  3. Viral pathogens: Dengue haemorrhagic fever

F. Conclusion

Closing lecture

  1. Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology: Where to now?