De elektronische studiegids voor het academiejaar 2025 - 2026 is onder voorbehoud.





Gene Technology (3952)

  
Coordinating lecturer :Prof. dr. Tim VANMIERLO 
  
Co-lecturer :Prof. dr. Pieter RUYTINX 
  
Member of the teaching team :dr. Assia TIANE 
 dr. Inez WENS 
 dr. Melissa SCHEPERS 
 dr. Nele CLAES 
 dr. Willem VONCKEN 


Language of instruction : English


Credits: 4,0
  
Period: quarter 1 (4sp)
  
2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
  
Final grade2: Numerical
 
Exam contract: not possible


 
Sequentiality
 
   No sequentiality

Content

The student acquires the knowledge and insight in the most recent advances in gene technology. The student will focus on one of four state-of-the-art technologies in molecular life sciences. In addition, groups of students will work on a disease and discuss how the technology could be applied to a disease to realize a better diagnosis and perhaps a potential therapeutic intervention.

The course is structured around components:

1. Latest advances in gene technology

Students are educated in the latest advances in gene technology. The technical aspects and research application of three core technologies are elaborated in a group assignment. The focus is on genetic and epigenetic modulations. A PBL-approach is applied in three session to guide the students in this task assignment. Each of the group is guided by an expert/coach.

2. State-of-the-art research applying gene technology

Students are introduced in the application of gene technology in disease-related by on-topic advanced journal clubs and expert lectures. During the advanced journal clubs students have to analyse an high-impact research paper related to the expert lectures.

The deliverables are a written report and a 30 minutes presentation. The presentation and the report are study material for all students

The learning goals are divided into biomedical and academic skills.

Learning goals: biomedical skills

At the conclusion of the block, students are able to:

LG-1. describe the working mechanism of various gene technologies: NGS, third generation sequencing, iRNA, CRISPR/Cas9, lentiviral vectors, phage display, epigenetic modulation

LG-2. explain how state-of-the-art molecular technology used to understand human disease

LG-3. design a state-of-the-art biotech-based approach to study the molecular mechanisms of human diseases using the techniques in LG-1.

LG-4. understand how scientific discoveries are translated into clinical applications (procedures, pharmac, patient therapy)

Learning goals: academic skills

LG-5. apply the principles of the scientific method to scientific communication (reading, writing, presenting)

LG-6. critically read, analyse, assess and discuss scientific information (papers, proposals, presentations) (reading, writing, presenting)

LG-7. collaborate in a team to produce a scientific report and presentation on a biomedical topic

LG-8. present a scientific report in a clear, concise, complete and educationally sound manner

LG-9. professionally interact with senior scientists.



Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Lecture  
Self-study assignment  
Small group session  
Teaching methods  
Demonstration  
Group work  
Presentation  
Report  


Evaluation

Period 1    Credits 4,00

Evaluation method
Written evaluaton during teaching periode20 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Peer review
Oral evaluation during teaching period20 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Presentation
Written exam25 %
Multiple-choice questions
Oral exam35 %
Open questions
Evaluation conditions (participation and/or pass)
Conditions Presence at the TA meetings is obligatory. The evaluation consists of multiple parts. For all parts of the evaluation, at least a score of 8/20 must be obtained in order to pass for the course. Each student has to contribute sufficiently to the group assignment.
Consequences A student who achieves a score lower than 8/20 on one (or more) parts of the evaluation will receive 'F - fail' as the final result. This final result is not tolerable. A student who achieves an 8/20 or 9/20 on one (or more) parts of the evaluation will receive respectively 8/20 or 9/20 as the final result, regardless of the weighted average of the scores. This final mark is tolerable. Eg. 8/20 + 16/20 -> 9/20 = tolerable. A student who possibly has participated significantly less in the group assignment than the other group members, will follow the free-riding behavior process as explained on Blackboard. During this process, the student will receive a temporary score X (no exam grade available). If free-riding behavior is identified, the student will receive F (fail) as final score for the course, and will receive an alternative assignment during the second-chance exam period. The results of the other evaluation parts can be retained for the second-chance exam if the student has passed or had received a tolerable mark.
Additional information

When working in team, sufficient input from each student is expected. Peer evaluation is done by the Buddycheck program on Blackboard. For each student, the score of the group work will be multiplied by the factor that is calculated by this program. The method of calculation and the way this process works, is further explained on Blackboard. If there is a potentially significant smaller contribution, the process regarding free-riding behavior will be started.

Oral evaluation during the teaching period includes formative evaluation during task assignment; participation.

The oral exam: open questions, case.


Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No
 

Compulsory course material
 

Study material will be available on blackboard.



Learning outcomes
Master of Biomedical Sciences
  •  EC 
  • 1. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has a thorough knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes of the healthy and diseased organism and has insight in different methods for prevention, diagnosis and therapy of diseases.

  •  EC 
  • 11. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can function in a multidisciplnary team and can fulfill a bridging function between the various actors in health care. The graduate knows the importance and needs of the various stakeholders within the life sciences.

  •  EC 
  • 12. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has an attitude for lifelong learning and for constantly adjusting one's own professional thinking and acting.

  •  EC 
  • 2. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can independently and critically perform a literature search.

  •  EC 
  • 3. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences can draw up a new research hypothesis based on his or her own findings or based on the findings of others, and work out a research proposal for this.

  •  EC 
  • 4. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences has knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques within biomedical research and is able to apply these techniques, taking into account the applicable quality standards.

  •  EC 
  • 6. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences  can report scientific findings in writing and orally to both experts and a wide audience in a structured way.

  •  EC 
  • 7. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences takes a critical attitude towards one's own research and that of others.   

  •  EC 
  • MHD 1. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences specialisation Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease has in depth insights in the etiology and the underlying molecular pathways of major disease areas (e.g. cardiovascular sciences, immunology and infection, neurosciences,...)

  •  EC 
  • MHD 2. A graduate of the Master of Biomedical Sciences specialisation Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease is able to develop new strategies for diagnosis and therapy. 

 

Master of Teaching in Health Sciences
  •  EC 
  • 5.1 The educational master is a domain expert HEALTH SCIENCES: the EM has an understanding of the construction and functioning of the human body in disease and health (at the molecular, cellular, organ and organism level).

  •  EC 
  • 5.4  The educational master is a domain expert HEALTH SCIENCES: the EM can independently and critically conduct literature research, formulate and operationalise a research question (-hypothesis), collect research data, process the obtained research results, interpret and report orally and in writing.

 

  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
1st year Master of Biomedical Sciences - Molecular Mechanisms in Health and Disease J
Master of Teaching in Health Sciences keuzetraject BMW/GEN met vakdidactiek biologie J
Master of Teaching in Health Sciences keuzetraject BMW/GEN met vakdidactiek chemie J



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.