TH
TH
12.50 pm REGISTRATION (Foyer, David Shaw Lecture Theatre)
1.00-1.15 pm WELCOME - Dr Debbie Bevitt (David Shaw Lecture Theatre)
st
1.20-4.00 pm
Refreshment break
2.30–2.50 pm
Foyer, DSLT
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN HUMAN DISEASE
White blood cells have a major role in defending the body against infection. This session looks at the different types of white blood cells and their roles in defence. Students will stain blood smears for microscopic examination to identify and count different white blood cell populations. We shall also discuss how numbers of these cells can change in diseases such as HIV and leukaemia.
Antibodies are large glycoproteins present in the blood and other body fluids that protect against infection, but which can also play a harmful role in some diseases. In this session we will also see how antibodies can be detected in the laboratory and how this can be useful in the diagnosis of disease.
st
1.20-4.00 pm
Refreshment break
2.55-3.15 pm
Foyer, DSLT
BIOCHEMISTRY OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS
The analysis of body fluids, both blood and urine, can present a powerful diagnostic tool for the assessment of human health and disease. In particular, it is the biochemical analysis of urine samples that can identify the presence of either normal or abnormal substances and can be used as a means to identify possible disease conditions. In this practical session the students will utilize multi-function dipsticks (Multistix ® ) to analyse urine samples (artificial) from a number of patients and use their results to make a clinical diagnosis as to the patient’s medical condition. In the second part of the laboratory session the students will use a simple two-step biochemical reaction that produces a colour change to make their own biosensor to detect the presence of glucose in urine samples.
nd
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment break
2.55-3.15 pm
Coffee Room,
2 nd Floor,
William Leech
Building
THE EFFECT OF DRUGS ON ENZYME ACTIVITY: RESPONDING TO A POSSIBLE CHEMICAL TERROR
ATTACK!
Many drugs used in the treatment of disease act by interfering with enzyme functions. This is normally at a controlled dose to avoid any harmful effects. However, the ability of some drugs to interact strongly with key enzymes has been exploited to develop lethal nerve agents. In this practical scenario students will carry out a well known colorimetric assay to determine the enzyme activity levels in 6 patients admitted to A&E following a suspected chemical terror attack. Students will use their results and the limited patient history to determine which patients could have been exposed, if their symptoms correspond to the suspected chemical released and whether treatment(s) should be given. The session will also discuss the use of enzyme activities as a biomarker of drug exposure and the possibility of false positive or negative results due to underlying patient diseases or medications.

st
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment break
2.55-3.15 pm
Foyer, DSLT
GENETIC DIAGNOSTICS APPLIED TO A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: FORENSIC DNA PROFILING
At the DNA level individual people are about 99.9% identical; they differ on average in 1 out of
1000 base pairs. Unless you have an identical twin, your DNA will be different from that of every other person in the world. Taking advantage of this property, we have used increasingly DNA testing to identify victims or suspects or to rule out people involved in criminal activities. During this session, you will provide help the police investigate a murder by carrying out a genetic diagnostic test. You will compare the DNA profile of three suspects with a DNA sample isolated from a blood sample collected at the murder scene. DNA samples will be enzymatically digested and analysed by gel electrophoresis. This will allow you to eliminate some suspects and confirm the presence on the scene of a potential criminal. During this session we will also discuss how restriction enzyme can be used to determine the “DNA profile” or “fingerprint” of an individual.
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment break
2.30-2.50 pm
Clinical Skills
Lab
PLEASE NOTE
PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY
In this session you will learn how the human female pelvis is adapted for childbearing and how it differs from the male pelvis. Students will come up with anatomical and physiological explanations for some of the symptoms commonly shown by a pregnant woman. During the session the impact of the structural adaptations of the female pelvis on the passage of the baby through the pelvis during delivery will be simulated. Teaching resources will include bones, plastic anatomical models of the female pelvis and fetal skulls. Students will also have the opportunity to simulate a delivery using gynaecological manikins and role play the pregnant woman and the attending doctor and midwife.
A member of staff from each School registered must accompany students. Students can be split over various sessions but only 1 member of staff need attend. There will be an opportunity for the staff member to visit each session.