University of the

West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ5Y-20-M Title: Methods in Clinical Analysis Version:

Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:

Module type:

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:

Faculty Committee approval: Q&S Committee (School of Life Sciences) Date: November 2009

Approved for Delivery by: N/A

Valid from: November 2009 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites:

    None

Co-requisites:

    None

Entry Requirements:

N/A

Excluded Combinations:

None

Learning Outcomes:

The student will be able to:

• discuss techniques for studying and manipulating DNA;

• explain the techniques used in gene cloning that enable the characterisation of genes;

• discuss critically the merits of different approaches in analytical immunotechnology;

• discuss the principles of a variety of analytical techniques used in hospital laboratories;

• compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of different techniques;

• explain some novel research techniques which are also likely to be adopted as future routine methods in the clinical laboratory.

Syllabus Outline:

Separation techniques . An overview of chromatographic techniques including high pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography and their coupling with mass spectrometry. The underlying theory of each technique will be discussed together with similarities and differences in approach. Important applications of these techniques in clinical analysis will be discussed.

Molecular Biology Basic skills and tools of a gene cloner- isolating and purifying nucleic acid, DNA, manipulating enzymes, cutting and joining DNA, monitoring DNA, introduction of DNA into living organisms, cloning vectors. DNA sequencing and The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Applications of genetic engineering and raised ethical issues, screening for genetic disorders, pinpointing disease causing genes, gene therapy.

Analytical Immunotechnology. Application of antibodies in immunodiagnostics: detailed overview of antibody structure, binding and affinity; theory behind immunoassays, review of nonlabelled and labelled techniques; application of newer labels; new technologies and immunobiosensors.

Immunocytochemistry.Basic principles of fluorescent imaging techniques. Steps of immunocytochemistry and imaging of labelled cells. live imaging approaches.

Microscopy. Preparation of samples for scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Recent advances in SEM operation including environmental scanning electron microscopy. TEM immunocytochemistry

Identification of elements and their location using energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and SEM and TEM.

The use of the above techniques in clinical settings. Confocal miscroscopy.

Cell Pathology. Advanced techniques used in cellular pathology, particularly in the area of cancer research and tumour diagnosis.

Flow cytometry. An introduction to flow cytometry covering the theory and operation of the flow cytometer and discussing the application of the technique in clinical analysis and diagnostics.

Microbiology. Current and future methods for routine identification of bacteria from clinical samples. Advantages and disadvantages of a range of methodologies and a review of developments in rapid testing technologies.

Epidemiology. Fundamental nature and relevance of epidemiology to all pathology disciplines; existence and severity of disease. Selected topics such as "the concept of a population", "incidence and prevalence", "identifying risk factors" and "evaluating if an intervention has been effective".

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Student learning will be by means of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical demonstrations of equipment, and by the use of some computer assisted learning packages. Background reading material will be supplemented by use of internet material, of which there is a reasonable quantity especially in the area of separation science.

In some subject areas, handouts of review papers or significant applications will be used. Students will be informed that these are part of the teaching and learning strategy and are examinable.

In some subject areas eg electrochemistry, the performance characteristics and applications in a clinical context will be discussed using a case study approach.

The module will make use of Blackboard where for example, synopses of lectures or additional reading material may be posted. However, Blackboard is not at all intended to be a substitute for attendance at module lectures.

Reading Strategy:

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.

Indicative Reading List:

Brown, T.A., Gene Cloning & DNA Analysis. Blackwell Science (5th Ed) 2006

Glauert A.M. and Lewis P.R., Biological Specimen Preparation, Portland Press 1998.

Griffin, R.L., Using the transmission electron microscope in the biological sciences, Simon and Schuster 1990.

Hannon-Fletcher, Maxwell P (Eds). Advanced techniques in diagnostic cellular pathology, Wiley Blackwell 2009.

Hart, J. P., Electroanalysis of biologically important compounds Ellis Horwood 1990..

Hayat M.A., Principals and techniques of electron microscopy: biological applications. Mamillan , 1989.

Ingram, P., Biomedical applications of microscopy analysis, Academic Press 1999.

Masseyeff, R.E., Albert, W.H. and Stokes, N.A., Methods of immunological analysis, VCH Publishers 1993.

Mermet, J., Otto, M. Valcárcel. M. Analytical chemistry : a modern approach to analytical science Wiley

VCH (2nd ed 2004).

Miller JM, The Microbiology Bench Companion, ASM Press 2007.

Poole, C.F. The Essence of Chromatography, Elsevier 2003.

Price, E.P., and Newman, D.J. Principles and Practice of Immunoassay, Stockton Press 1992

Schatten, H., Biological low voltage field emission scanning electron microscopy [electronic resource], Springer 2008.

Shapiro, H. Practical Flow Cytometry (fourth edition) 2003. Wiley-Liss

Skoog D, West D, Holler F, Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, (8th edn) Saunders (2004).

Skoog, D.A, Holler, F.J and Crouch , S., Principles of Instrumental Analysis, Saunders HBJ. (6th edition 2007).

Stokes, D. Principles and practice of variable pressure/environmental scanning electron microscopy (VP-ESEM) [electronic resource] , Wiley 2008.

Truant A.L, Manual of Commercial Methods in Clinical Microbiology

American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 2002.

Assessment:

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%

FIRST ATTEMPT

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)

Description of each element (within Component)

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Component B Element Wt (Ratio)

Description of each element (within Component)

CW1

Essay (1500 Words)

1

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes )

Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)

Description of each element (within Component)

EX3

Examination (3 hours)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Component B Element Wt (Ratio)

Description of each element (within Component)

CW1

Essay (1500 words)

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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