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General resources for students of the School of Biological Sciences.
The post-genome era has seen significant advances in our ability to obtain biological data, be it protein sequences or structures. Bioinformatics have become an indispensible skill for the next generation of biochemists and biologists in order to retrieve, analyse and interpret data. This module will introduce the different resources and tools available on-line for the study of protein structure and interaction. This module will focus on how to decode the role and the molecular evolution of a protein starting from its sequence. The lectures will teach the theory and the computer practicals will introduce some of the many computer and web resources available to perform bioinformatics analyses.
Learning Outcomes
In order to pass this module the student will need to be able to:
1. use and retrieve information from protein databases and protein portals;
2. align protein sequences, and edit them in the light of amino acid similarities;
3. predict protein secondary and tertiary structure and protein-protein interaction;
4. observe and modify protein structure files using PyMol;
5. use webtools to recognise motifs in a protein sequence;
6. define the principles of molecular dynamics and perform energy minimisation.
Learning Outcomes
In order to pass this module the student will need to be able to:
1. use and retrieve information from protein databases and protein portals;
2. align protein sequences, and edit them in the light of amino acid similarities;
3. predict protein secondary and tertiary structure and protein-protein interaction;
4. observe and modify protein structure files using PyMol;
5. use webtools to recognise motifs in a protein sequence;
6. define the principles of molecular dynamics and perform energy minimisation.
The module describes the fundamental principles of stem cell biology and molecular mechanisms and factors that define their ‘stemness’ as well as the processes that govern their differentiation into specific cell types. This will be explored in the in the context of development, health, ageing, and disease. The module aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge, and understanding of the principles that drive research into stem cells and their utility in new treatment approaches, and to provide them with skills and hands-on experience in analysing and interpreting information pertinent to stem cell biology and function in health, disease and the ageing process.
Learning Outcomes
In order to pass this module the student will need to be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental and underlying mechanisms of stem cell biology, differentiation, self-renewal and proliferation.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the transduction and integration of extracellular signals that regulate stem cell differentiation, self-renewal, cell death, senescence and proliferation and other processes.
3. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the differences between embryonic stem cells and various other adult stem cell types.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the different approaches to generate and utilise induced pluripotent stem cells.
5. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate therapeutic approaches to treat diseases with stem cells.
6. Demonstrate an excellent understanding of the molecular biology and mechanisms that are part of the ageing process.
7. Demonstrate competence in (a) the analysis and interpretation of data and (b) the collation, synthesis and communication of material in the form of essays and presentations.
Learning Outcomes
In order to pass this module the student will need to be able to:
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental and underlying mechanisms of stem cell biology, differentiation, self-renewal and proliferation.
2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the transduction and integration of extracellular signals that regulate stem cell differentiation, self-renewal, cell death, senescence and proliferation and other processes.
3. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the differences between embryonic stem cells and various other adult stem cell types.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the different approaches to generate and utilise induced pluripotent stem cells.
5. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate therapeutic approaches to treat diseases with stem cells.
6. Demonstrate an excellent understanding of the molecular biology and mechanisms that are part of the ageing process.
7. Demonstrate competence in (a) the analysis and interpretation of data and (b) the collation, synthesis and communication of material in the form of essays and presentations.
Biomembranes are of fundamental importance in determining the organisation and functioning of living cells. The aims of this course are to introduce students to basic composition and biophysical properties of biomembranes and how they are associated with cellular activities. The second focus of the course is on the principles underpinning energy transduction and storage by biomembranes and the role of electrochemical gradients in cellular function.
These aims will be explored in the context of lipid and membrane protein structure and how it translates into the activity of biological membranes. Biophysical and biochemical methods to study membranes will be discussed alongside the specific roles of membranes in the signal transduction, ion and solute transport and energy storage in cells.
Energy generation and transformation by membranes is an essential feature of all cells: membrane electron transport processes will be discussed (with particular attention being given to respiratory and photosynthetic processes), together with the chemiosmotic theory for ATP synthesis by membranes. A bottom up approach building from basic thermodynamics to observed macroscopic effects and biological function is taken. Particular emphasis is placed on the quantitative description of chemical free energy changes and electron transfer reactions allowing students to analyse and interpret biophysical data in the context of actual experiments.
Learning Outcomes:
In order to pass this module, students will need to be able to:
1. Describe the structure, organisation and biogenesis of biological membranes. Explain how physico-chemical properties of the lipids and proteins lead to the dynamic nature of biological membranes;
2. have comprehensive knowledge of the main characteristics of membrane proteins and their roles in membrane structure, transport and signaling;
3. demonstrate systematic understanding of how ions and solutes are transported across biological membranes and creation of membrane gradients and be able to solve practical problems relating to the above;
4. explain the principles of photosynthetic energy conversion and chemiosmotic theory of energy transduction by biological membranes;
5. demonstrate critical understanding of the thermodynamics underpinning these mechanisms;
6. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the range of techniques used to study membranes and competence in the skills of practical lab work, data analysis and applications of equations and competence in the analysis and interpretation of discussed biophysical data;
7. understand the theory and practice of key techniques used in lipid and membrane protein research;
8. understand the theory and practical aspects of thermodynamics and kinetics;
9. demonstrate competence in data presentation, analysis and interpretation. Work effectively as part of a team to analyse and present experimental and theoretical data.
These aims will be explored in the context of lipid and membrane protein structure and how it translates into the activity of biological membranes. Biophysical and biochemical methods to study membranes will be discussed alongside the specific roles of membranes in the signal transduction, ion and solute transport and energy storage in cells.
Energy generation and transformation by membranes is an essential feature of all cells: membrane electron transport processes will be discussed (with particular attention being given to respiratory and photosynthetic processes), together with the chemiosmotic theory for ATP synthesis by membranes. A bottom up approach building from basic thermodynamics to observed macroscopic effects and biological function is taken. Particular emphasis is placed on the quantitative description of chemical free energy changes and electron transfer reactions allowing students to analyse and interpret biophysical data in the context of actual experiments.
Learning Outcomes:
In order to pass this module, students will need to be able to:
1. Describe the structure, organisation and biogenesis of biological membranes. Explain how physico-chemical properties of the lipids and proteins lead to the dynamic nature of biological membranes;
2. have comprehensive knowledge of the main characteristics of membrane proteins and their roles in membrane structure, transport and signaling;
3. demonstrate systematic understanding of how ions and solutes are transported across biological membranes and creation of membrane gradients and be able to solve practical problems relating to the above;
4. explain the principles of photosynthetic energy conversion and chemiosmotic theory of energy transduction by biological membranes;
5. demonstrate critical understanding of the thermodynamics underpinning these mechanisms;
6. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the range of techniques used to study membranes and competence in the skills of practical lab work, data analysis and applications of equations and competence in the analysis and interpretation of discussed biophysical data;
7. understand the theory and practice of key techniques used in lipid and membrane protein research;
8. understand the theory and practical aspects of thermodynamics and kinetics;
9. demonstrate competence in data presentation, analysis and interpretation. Work effectively as part of a team to analyse and present experimental and theoretical data.
This module aims to give students experience in Biomedical Science as practiced in a modern NHS laboratory.
Part A: the summer school, takes place after Year 1 summer examinations. Biomedical Scientists from local hospitals will engage with students in workshops and practicals. These will introduce the major disciplines of biomedical science and the professional requirements for NHS laboratory careers. During their second year students will visit an accredited training laboratory in one of our partner hospitals.
Part B: Employability. Transferable skills and career planning are increasingly recognised as being of great importance to graduates. Students will develop skills and understanding of assembling CVs, completing application forms and preparing for interview. A range of internal and external expert speakers will run workshops and other activities. Students will be enabled to identify the skills required to meet their career goals through Professional Development Planning (PDP).
Learning Outcomes (including summer school, careers workshop and practicals).
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. demonstrate practical and professional understanding of a range of biomedical science topics;
2. have an understanding of the day-to-day work carried out in an accredited NHS laboratory;
3. demonstrate competence in job application skills and engagement with the career planning process;
4. show competence and safe practice in laboratory work including effective observations, measurements and accurate records;
5. demonstrate skills in information retrieval, communication, data analysis and interpretation, numeracy, problem solving and group work.
Part A: the summer school, takes place after Year 1 summer examinations. Biomedical Scientists from local hospitals will engage with students in workshops and practicals. These will introduce the major disciplines of biomedical science and the professional requirements for NHS laboratory careers. During their second year students will visit an accredited training laboratory in one of our partner hospitals.
Part B: Employability. Transferable skills and career planning are increasingly recognised as being of great importance to graduates. Students will develop skills and understanding of assembling CVs, completing application forms and preparing for interview. A range of internal and external expert speakers will run workshops and other activities. Students will be enabled to identify the skills required to meet their career goals through Professional Development Planning (PDP).
Learning Outcomes (including summer school, careers workshop and practicals).
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. demonstrate practical and professional understanding of a range of biomedical science topics;
2. have an understanding of the day-to-day work carried out in an accredited NHS laboratory;
3. demonstrate competence in job application skills and engagement with the career planning process;
4. show competence and safe practice in laboratory work including effective observations, measurements and accurate records;
5. demonstrate skills in information retrieval, communication, data analysis and interpretation, numeracy, problem solving and group work.