Medical Sciences 3900G
3rd Year Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) Laboratory Course instructors: Dr. Sarah McLean (course manager), Dr. Michelle Belton Extra information: 0.5 course, offered Winter 1 lecture/tutorial hour per week, 3 laboratory hours per week (*most weeks, see outline), 1 online hour per week Location: Physiology/Pharmacology Labs (Tuesday, Wednesday/Thursday a.m., Friday) Learning outcomes: By the end of this course, students will be able to: Apply the principles of experimental design to design a hypothetical experiment. Select and apply appropriate statistical calculations to analyze scientific data. Define the components and use of each of the section of the IMRAD structure of scientific reports. Compose several different types of scientific writing laboratory reports and layman’s summaries of scientific knowledge. Formulate and construct hypotheses to test scientific questions. Design experiments with appropriate controls and be able to identify the dependent and independent variables within the experiments. Apply a number of common molecular biology techniques (cell culture, PCR, ELISA, transfection) to answer a scientific problem. Recognize the uses and drawbacks of a number of common molecular biology techniques. Online component: through simulation, students perform the “experiment” and receive feedback Design of course: Online component: students are introduced to the theory/rationale of a scientific technique through interactive online learning modules In-­‐class component: students work in groups to apply their knowledge through designing experiments and completing scenarios Wet laboratory component: Following the simulation, students will work with their lab partners to perform the actual experiment in the lab Assessments: 5%-­‐ “simulation maps” (students print-­‐off and show their “path” that they took for weekly simulations) 15%-­‐ in-­‐class assignments (3 assignments total) 15%-­‐ laboratory poster presentation 20%-­‐ midterm examination (multiple choice and short answer) 15%-­‐ experiment report 25%-­‐ final examination (multiple choice and short answer) 5%-­‐ completion and upkeep of laboratory notebook Tentative Schedule Week 1-­‐Introduction to the course Instructors: Dr. S. McLean and Dr. M. Belton Drs. McLean and Belton will introduce the course and Dr. McLean will give a brief overview of the process of wound-­‐healing. *no online component Week 2-­‐ Principles of Experimental Design Instructor: Dr. M. Belton Online learning module topics covered: hypothesis generation sampling: replication, pseudoreplication, randomization chance, bias and confounding dependent vs. independent variables positive controls, negative controls, “validation” controls In-­‐class: students work through scenarios in groups to apply principles of experimental design Simulation: students work through OLM regarding experimental design with feedback Laboratory component: none Week 3-­‐ Scientific Writing Instructor: Dr. M. Belton Online learning module topics covered: Writing for different audiences (layperson vs. colleague) TIMRAD structure-­‐ work through different components Best practices and tips for scientific writing In-­‐class: students learn how to write a layman’s summary, practice writing a layman’s summary then complete an assignment on layman’s summary Simulation: none Laboratory component: none Week 4-­‐ Statistics Instructor: Dr. M. Belton In-­‐class: students learn about common types of statistical analysis (Student’s t-­‐test, one-­‐way ANOVA, etc.) and work in groups to identify when to apply which test Online: students complete OLM and mini-­‐assignment regarding statistics Laboratory component: none Week 5-­‐ Cell culture Instructor: Dr. M. Belton In-­‐class: students learn principles of aseptic technique and the uses/drawbacks of cell culture as a model system for studying disease Online: students simulate performing aseptic technique online and also watch video on how to perform aseptic technique Laboratory component: students split and plate cells in preparation for ELISA experiment next week, change media on cells and learn how to make their own solutions Week 6-­‐ ELISA Instructor: Dr. S. McLean Online learning module topics covered: Basics of the technique Common uses of the technique Similarities/differences between indirect ELISA, sandwich ELISA and competitive ELISA In-­‐class: students learn principles of ELISA, what it can/cannot tell us, as well as different types of ELISA Simulation: students simulate sandwich ELISA online Laboratory component: students use their cells (from last week) to perform a sandwich ELISA looking at VEGF secretion in response to inflammatory cytokine stimulation of Rat2 fibroblasts Weeks 7 and 8-­‐ PCR Instructor: Dr. M. Belton In-­‐class: students learn principles of PCR, different components of buffers and primer design, as well as limitations/uses of PCR Online: students simulate PCR online, design their own primers, “run” their own PCR reactions with feedback Laboratory component: Week 7: students isolate their own DNA and run the PCR reaction Week 8: students make and run their gels, analyze results Week 9-­‐ Transfection Instructor: Dr. S. McLean Online learning module topics covered: Basics of the technique Common uses and calculations Types of transfection: PEI, calcium phosphate, Lipofectamine, electroporation Simulation: students simulate calcium phosphate transfection, including calculations Laboratory component: students transfect their cells with a reporter gene (GFP) using either PEI and/or calcium phosphate after completing calculations to ensure they have the correct concentration of cDNA Week 10-­‐ Reporter assays Instructor: Dr. S. McLean Online learning module topics covered: Learn about different types of reporter assays (luciferase) Learn about these assays can tell us and how they are used Compare reporter assays to other read-­‐out assays Learn about the components of buffers Identify different controls that are necesary In-­‐class: students compare/contrast the different types of assays with their group Online: students simulate reporter assays and “read” their results online, as well as begin to analyze their data Laboratory component: Rat2 fibroblasts are transfected with a collagen promoter tagged to a luciferase gene and beta-­‐galactosidase. Cells are treated with TGFβ and activation of the collagen promoter is assessed via luciferase production Week 11-­‐ Migration/scratch assays Instructor: Dr. S. McLean In-­‐class: students learn of different types of migration/differentiation assays and their applications to the study of a variety of diseases (migration, 3D morphogenesis assays, invasion through matrigel) Online: students simulate migration assay online Laboratory component: students visualize their migration assays and perform calculations Week 12-­‐ Imaging/immunofluorescence microscopy Instructor: Dr. S. McLean In-­‐class: students learn of different types of immunofluorescence microscopy (inverted, confocal) and benefits/drawbacks of using immunofluorescence microscopy Online: students prepare their immunofluorescence slides virtually, “visualize” online Laboratory component: students see demo in-­‐class, see/tour confocal facility