Clinical Cell Biology

Course manual 2018/2019

Course content

Diseases start at the level of cells. Finding both the cause, and a cure, requires inventing and mastering techniques to investigate, understand and manipulate the biological processes that drive normal and dysfunctional cells.

You are about to enter the research laboratory as an academic Master student who can master her/his own project. This module will equip you with general biological insights into various common disease-related cellular mechanisms, with a major focus on cancer, but also with an overview of modern experimental methods and technologies including microscopy. Both aspects will be very important for choosing your first internship project. The module Clinical Cell Biology will familiarize you with multiple disease-driven research groups and potential projects for your internship. The module consists of four themes, each discussing various aspects of fundamental or translational research in life sciences, with some emphasizing high-end microscopy techniques.

Whether you’re interested in cancer, leukemia, neurodegeneration or other conditions, enjoy this module to understand the bench-to-bedside approach that is crucial in modern medicine!

The module is built up by 4 sub-modules. Each sub-module shows aspects of translational research or fundamental research in life sciences with emphasis on high-end microscopical imaging techniques.

Study materials

Literature

Syllabus

• Will be provided at the start of the course

Practical training material

Software

Other

Objectives

After the course, the student should be able to:

• Have a general understanding of clinically-oriented cell biology research
• Compare and select scientific technologies for specific applications
• Critically analyze the pros and cons of scientific technologies
• Compile and clearly present a research proposal
• Have an overview of the career perspectives as a medical biology researcher
• Put forward and defend scientific arguments in an oral debate
• Interpret and clearly present scientific data
• Gain general understanding of how science works
• Select a suitable, interesting internship
• Collaborate with peers

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Computer lab session/practical training
• Self-study
• Presentation/symposium
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis

At the start of the course, students are assigned to groups of 3 or 4 students. All assignments are executed in these groups.

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

All activities are mandatory.
Notice of absence is required from the coordinators.

Assessment

No resit is possible for the Examinations of sub-modules.

Inspection of assessed work

The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

After the examinations, students receive written evaluation by the examinator.

Assignments

Presentation

• Intracellular signaling

Debate

• Skin cancer

Presentation

• Define your research strategy

Presentation / Debate

• What is science?

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Additional information

The course will take place in different locations at the AMC and FNWI.

Contact information

Coordinator

• Eric Reits