Registry

Module Specifications

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

Module Title	Principles of Diagnostic Technology 2
Module Code	BE513
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	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide a detailed understanding of the theory and applications of advanced diagnostic assay systems and devices. In this module students will gain knowledge in immunoassay design and validation with particular attention to the manipulation of the immune system for disease recognition. This module assumes no former knowledge of immunology but some knowledge would be advantageous.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss how our immune system fights infection with particular reference to the cellular events involved in antigen recognition
2. List the molecular technologies used to select recombinant antibody fragments and how these are applied in industry
3. Describe in detail the methods used to produce antibodies and antibody fragments in the laboratory
4. Discuss how biosensors can be used for protein characterisation and assay development
5. Select a suitable biochemical method for the analysis of environmental, clinical and food antigens
6. Discuss how antibody-based therapy can be used to treat human disease
7. Outline the fundamental concepts and limitations of companion diagnostics
8. Describe the development of array and biochip assays for point of care diagnostics
9. Discuss the importance of validation and research ethics in the design of antibody-based assays and therapies

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	36	No Description
Tutorial	6	No Description
Assignment	30	No Description
Seminars	2	No Description
Independent learning	110	No Description
Total Workload: 184

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.
Generation of diversity and selection in T-cells; TCR gene clusters; MHC genes; superfamily of immunoglobulin-related genes; Complement; Cytokines; Vaccines.

Antibodies.
Structure and functions; production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies; bifunctional antibodies and antibody derivatives; genetics of antibody production and its exploitation; use of phage and other systems; production of chimaeras; humanised and catalytic antibodies; antibody isolation, purification and characterisation; conjugate 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.

Diagnostics.
Design and assay planning, method development and pre-study validation, devices for point of care applications, kit manufacture (with series of examples), problems often encountered and remedies.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Project	Detailed assignment on topics relevant to Biomedical Diagnostics	20%	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 1

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, Fifth Edition, Pergamon, Oxford, 978-0080445267

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)