Integrated Laboratory Class 1
Code: 100928 ECTS Credits: 3| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500253 Biotechnology | OB | 1 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Elena Ibáñez de Sans
- Email:
- Elena.Ibanez@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Prerequisites
Students must be simultaneously taking or have already taken the theory subjects corresponding to the contents of the laboratory practices of Integrated Laboratory 1.
It is necessary for the student to have passed the biosafety and security tests available in Campus Virtual and to know and accept the rules of operation of the laboratories of the Faculty of Biosciences.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The Integrated Laboratory 1 is the first subject of a group of 6 that are distributed over the 6 semesters corresponding to the first three years of the Degree in Biotechnology.
The learning objectives of these subjects focus on the acquisition of skills related to the practical training of the students.
The contents are organized in a growing order of complexity and are associated to the needs and progress of the theory contents of the Degree.
The learning objectives of Integrated Laboratory 1 focus on the acquisition of practical skills in 4 specific content areas:
- Informatics
- Cell Biology
- Instrumental Techniques
- Biochemistry
The knowledge of Informatics from an applied point of view is key for the use of specific computer applications in the different areas of the Degree, especially in those of Mathematics and Engineering. The rest of laboratory practices focus on the learning of basic techniques specific to each field and on the characteristics of the laboratory work.
Competences
- Apply general laboratory security and operational standards and specific regulations for the manipulation of different biological systems.
- Apply the principal techniques for the use of biological systems: recombinant DNA and cloning, cell cultures, manipulation of viruses, bacteria and animal and plant cells, immunological techniques, microscopy techniques, recombinant proteins and methods of separation and characterisation of biomolecules.
- Describe the molecular, cellular and physiological bases of the organisation, functioning and integration of living organisms in the framework of their application to biotechnological processes.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Lead and manage teams, and develop capacities for organisation and planning
- Make decisions.
- Search for, obtain and interpret information from the principal databases on biology, bibliography and patents and use basic bioinformatic tools.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Use ICT for communication, information searching, data processing and calculations.
- Use analytical methodologies for assaying the biological activity of cellular components, especially enzymes, both in vitro and in vivo.
- Work individually and in teams
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the different waste disposal processes correctly.
- Apply the fundamental techniques used in the analysis, purification, and characterisation of biomolecules.
- Apply the general safety rules in place in a a biotechnology laboratory.
- Assign mutants to chromosomes.
- Extract complementary information from databases to support the analysis of results and the writing of reports on experiments.
- Identify the principal microscopic characteristics that distinguish prokaryote cells from eukaryote cells, and animal cells from plant cells.
- Interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- Lead and manage teams, and develop capacities for organisation and planning
- Make decisions.
- Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives.
- Use ICT for communication, information searching, data processing and calculations.
- Use the basic computer tools for calculating kinetic parameters.
- Use the basic techniques for analysing enzyme activity.
- Use the basic techniques for handling, separating, detecting and analysing proteins and nucleic acids.
- Use the basic techniques for preparing and observing samples with an optical microscope and an electron microscope.
- Work individually and in teams
Content
The course includes 4 types of contents or modules.
Informatics
The practices are organized in three sessions that take place in the computer rooms.
Practice 1 (2 h). File manipulation and commands.
Practice 2 (2 h). Work with spreadsheets.
Practice 3 (1 h). Practical application.
Cell Biology
The practices are organized in three sessions of 2 h that take place in the laboratory, plus an introductory online session.
Introductory session (2 h). Organization and functioning of the Cell Biology practices. General rules and assessment criteria.
Practice 1 (2 h). Introduction to the optical microscope and observation of plant and animal cells. Description of the optical microscope elements and instructions for using the microscope. Obtention of temporary samples from plant and animal cells and observation of their morphology and main components under the optical microscope.
Practice 2 (2 h). Electron microscopy. Fundamentals of electron microscopy. Recognition and measurement of different structures and cell organelles in SEM and TEM micrographs.
Practice 3 (2 h). The mitotic cell division. Preparation of slides of plant tissues to observe and recognize the different mitotic phases and estimate their duration.
Instrumental Techniques
The practices are organized in three sessions of 2 h that take place in the laboratory.
Practice 1 (2 h). Preparation of a pH buffer system. Determination of glucose concentration using a colorimetric method. Analysis of an absorption spectrum.
Practice 2 (2 h). Amplification of a gene by PCR, effect of Mg2+ concentration. Preparation of an agarose gel for the separation of the DNA fragments amplified by PCR. Preparation of a PAGE-SDS gel for the determination of the Mr of the milk proteins.
Practice 3 (2 h). Determination of the concentration of milk proteins using a colorimetric method (Bradford). Development of agarose and SDS gels prepared in practice 2.
Biochemistry
The practices are organized in five sessions of 2 h. Four of them take place in the laboratory and the last one in a SID computer room.
Practice 1 (2 h). Gel filtration chromatography: separation of hemoglobin from vitamin B12 and dextran blue. Process of expression and purification of a heterologous protein: GFP (green fluorescence protein).
Practice 2 (2 h). Continuation of the process of GFP purification. Hydrophobic chromatography: partial purification of GFP from a bacterial extract.
Practice 3 (2 h). Identification of lipids by thin layer chromatography. Fabrication of soap from avocados. Determination of the pKa of p-nitrophenol and its usefulness to follow the enzymatic activity of phosphatase.
Practice 4 (2 h). Application of spectrometry to the analysis of enzymatic activity. Obtention of data of initial speed of the acid phosphatase. Analysis of the effect of an inhibitor on enzymatic activity.
Practice 5 (2 h). Use of computer tools to determine the value of pKa of p-nitrophenol and the kinetic parameters of acid phosphatase. Determination of the type of inhibition and the corresponding inhibition constants from the data obtained in practice 4.
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
Methodology
Classes will take place in the computer rooms and teaching laboratories, in small groups of students.
Class attendance is mandatory, since it implies the acquisition of skills based on practical work. Absences must be properly justified to the coordinator of the corresponding module (indicated in the document "Equip docent" available in Campus Virtual). At the discretion of the coordinator, and if possible according to the calendar and the organization of the laboratory sessions, the student will be offered an alternative date to take the practical session missed. This possibility will not be offered in case of unjustified absences.
Informatics
Classes in the computer rooms including the delivery of the practice protocol, the presentation by the teacher and the realization of the practice. All the materials will be available in Campus Virtual.
Cell Biology, Instrumental Techniques and Biochemistry
Practical classes of laboratory and data analysis. The students will perform the experimental work under the supervision of the teacher.
Practical protocols and, if applicable, the questionnaires for response, will be available in Campus virtual.
Before each practical session students must have read the protocol and, thus, know the objectives of the practice and the fundamentals and the procedures that must be carried out. If applicable, they should also be familiar with the specific safety and waste treatment measures.
In the practical sessions, students must bring:
- Protocol and, if applicable, the questionnaire.
- A notebook to collect the information from the experimental work.
- Laboratory coat.
- Safety glasses.
- Permanent marker.
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activitiesenforced by health authorities.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Practical classes in laboratories and computer rooms | 52 | 2.08 | 1, 11, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 8, 10, 9, 6, 16, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Tutorials | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 11, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 8, 10, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Resolution of questionnaries | 10 | 0.4 | 1, 11, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 8, 10, 9, 6, 16, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Study | 8 | 0.32 | 1, 11, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 8, 10, 9, 6, 16, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
Assessment
Informatics
Final test in computer rooms. It is a test of 1 h 30 min in which the student will be asked about the contents of all the practices. There will be a reassessment test for students who fail the first test.
Students with unjustified absences will not be allowed to take the tests, which means that they will not able to pass the subject of Laboratory Integrat 1.
Cell Biology
The practices will be evaluated through questionnaires that students will have to answer at the end of each practical session. The final mark of this module will be the average mark of all of questionnaires.
Students unjustified absences will receive a maximum mark of 3,5 points and will not be eligible for any type of reassessment, which means that they will not able to pass the subject of Laboratory Integrat 1.
Instrumental Techniques and Biochemistry
The practices will be evaluated taking into account:
1) The resolution of the questionnaires, which will evaluate:
- The understanding of the fundamentals of the experimental methods.
- The ability to process and analyze experimental data.
- The ability to interpret experimental results.
- The use of the computer application for kinetic data analysis.
2) The monitoring of the experimental work in the laboratory, which will evaluate:
- The preliminary preparatory work, especially in those practices that require previous calculations.
- The application of the general rules of safety and operation of a laboratory.
- The application of waste disposal processes.
- The ability to work as a team.
Students with unjustified absences will receive a maximum mark of 3,5 points and will not be eligible for any type of reassessment, which means that theywill not able to pass the subject of Laboratory Integrat 1.
Final grading
The final grade of the subject will be the weighted average of the marks of the different modules, as follows: 19% Informatics, 23% Cell Biology, 23% Instrumental Techniques and 35% Biochemistry. To pass the subject, the final grade must be of at least 5 points.
The weighted average will only be applied when the individual mark of each of the four modules is of at least 4. Students with marks lower than 4 in one or more of the modules will not be able to pass the subject and will receive a maximum final grade of 4 points.
Students will receive the "No Avaluable" qualification when attending less than 20% of the programmed sessions of the subject.
Repeating students
Repeating students will have to retake the practices and the corresponding evaluation only of the module or modules that they failed (<4 points) in the first enrollment. For the modules already passed, the marks will be kept for a maximum period of three additional enrollments.
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry: Answer of questionnaires | 35% | 0 | 0 | 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 9, 16, 12, 13, 14 |
| Cell Biology: Answer of questionnaires | 23% | 0 | 0 | 4, 7, 10, 9, 6, 16, 15 |
| Informatics: Practical exam | 19% | 2 | 0.08 | 11, 7, 9, 16 |
| Instrumental Techniques: Answer of questionnaires | 23% | 0 | 0 | 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 9, 16, 14 |
| Monitoring of the laboratory work | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1, 3, 16 |
Bibliography
Recommended bibliography and web links are indicated in the practice protocols or, where appropriate, in the Study Guide of the corresponding theory subject.