Introductory description

MD1A6-30 - Integrated Natural Science Embryos and Organisms
The module aims to equip students with the conceptual, computational and practical skills required for the analysis and engineering of eukaryotic organisms and their development.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module provides students with an integrated exploration of developmental biology, immunology, and parasitology. Students will investigate how mechanical forces and gene expression shape embryonic development, examine the complex mechanisms of the immune system in protecting against microorganisms, and study parasitic organisms, with a specific focus on eukaryotic pathogens. Through a combination of lectures and laboratory sessions, the block will provide hands-on experience in imaging embryonic forces, understanding immune system responses, and exploring the function of proteins from a trypanosome parasite.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply creative analytical thinking in order to frame incisive, tractable scientific questions, especially about the structure, organisation and dynamics of embryos and organisms.
• Demonstrate a grasp of physical law as it applies to the properties and behaviours of living embryos and organisms.
• Use mathematical approaches to solve problems relating to the behaviours and interactions of embryos and organisms.
• Describe and discuss how embryos are organised and the forces that drive these processes.
• Describe and discuss how organisms use an immune system to recognise non-self.
• Demonstrate the hands-on practical skills required to perform experimental tests of tractable scientific questions, especially about the structure and dynamics of embryos and organisms
• Harness computational data analysis techniques and statistical approaches to analyse data.
• Access and use the scientific literature effectively.
• Interpret and explain experimental data relating to the organisation and development of embryos, and the migration of immune cells.
• Demonstrate the writing skills required to report experimental results in the format of a scientific paper, including the ability to write an abstract, to write a short critical review of the relevant literature, present results in an appropriate format and detail with appropriate statistics, discuss the results and frame a clear conclusion.
• Describe and discuss how parasites develop and are capable of subverting our immune response to grow.
• Demonstrate the ability to accurately record experimental procedures and results in appropriate detail.
• Operate safely within a laboratory environment.

Indicative reading list

Janeway's Immunobiology (Ninth Edition) / Kenneth Murphy & Casey Weaver
Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System / Abul K. Abbas
Physical biology of the cell / Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot, Hernan G. Garcia
Gastrulation : from cells to embryo / edited by Claudio D. Stern
Biological Physics of the Developing Embryo / Gabor Forgacs, Stuart A. Newman

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

Students will learn to solve scientific problems about embryos and organisms by integrating concepts and approaches from different scientific disciplines, including biology, physics, chemistry and computing, with the underlying mathematics serving as a common language.

Subject specific skills

Use critical thinking to frame tractable scientific questions about the structure, organisation and dynamics of embryos and organisms. Manipulate, observe and record results pertaining to experiments on model organisms in a laboratory setting using specialised equipment. Use a microscope to study the activation of immune cells when they encounter an antigen presenting cell. Use flow cytometry to measure the expression of inhibitory proteins at the surface of mammalian cells. Use protein prediction tools to investigate the function of an unknown protein from a parasite, and express the protein for further analysis.

Transferable skills

Proficient in the use mathematical approaches to scientific solve problems.

A grasp of Good Laboratory Practice and an ability to work safely in the lab environment.

The ability to accurately record experimental procedures and results, in appropriate detail, using open source electronic notebooks.

Harness computational data analysis techniques and statistical approaches to analyse data.

Access and use the scientific literature effectively.