Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Immunology & Cell Biology for Engineers
Module Code	BE309
School	School of Biotechnology
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Paul Leonard Semester 2: Paul Leonard Autumn: Paul Leonard
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a basic understanding of the immune system and the role of antibodies in fighting disease. In this module, students will gain knowledge in aspects of immunoanalysis with particular emphasis on antibody production for assay development and biosensors.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand how our immune system fights infection with particular reference to the cellular events involved in antigen recognition
2. Describe the different types of antibodies and how these can be produced in the laboratory
3. Discuss how antibodies can be used for biochemical analysis
4. Explain the principles behind immunosensors and how these can be applied to immunoassay development
5. Outline the critical components of antibody-based arrays and biochips and how these can be utilised for point-of-care analysis
6. Discuss the ethical considerations that need to be applied for assay development and validation

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	36	No Description
Tutorial	6	No Description
Assignment	30	No Description
Independent learning	53	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Immunology.
Introduction to the innate and adaptive immune systems with particular focus of antibody-based immunity and vaccination.

Antibodies.
Detailed look at the structure and functions of antibodies, types, formats and methods of production.

Immunoanalysis.
Applications of antibody-based methods of analysis including immunohistochemistry,immunoaffinity, chromatography, tumour diagnosis and imaging; ELISA, EMIT and FACS; immunosensors (including Biacore systems), immunoblotting and associated electrophoretic techniques; agglutination and bead systems.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Project	Individual assignment on a relevant topic in Immunology	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Kenneth M. Murphy, Paul Travers, Mark Walport: 2008, Janeway's immunobiology, Seventh Edition, Garland Science, New York, 978-0-8153-4123-9
David Wild: 2005, Immunoassay handbook, Pergamon, Oxford, 978-0080445267

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BMED

B.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSAO

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

HMSAO

Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)