Biomolecular Methods in Sport and Health

Code:

657

Acronym:

657

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	0	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	1	-	3	-
			2

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To acquire basics knowledge and skills which enabling to participate in research projects in Sports Sciences requiring  biomolecular methods (laboratory techniques of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology and Histologic and Morphologic evaluation) as well as the respective fundamentals of techniques and potential applications in research and laboratory practice. Foster scientific skill, providing knowledge about experimental models currently used at different contexts and research in Sports Sciences and Health.
The appreciation of specific examples of applications of biomolecular methods will allow understanding their huge impact, potentials, connections and also their limitations.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students with curricular unit approval should demonstrated the following competences:

1. to understand good laboratory practices and 
   general safety rules;


2. to recognize the importance of using experimental models in basicl research in Sports Sciences and Health and to know its limitations;


3. to acquire a strong scientific base as well as technological knowledge in emerging technologies of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology and Microscopy that can be applied to Sports Sciences and Health reserarch;


4. to be able to communicate effectively scientific and technical information.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Program

1. The scientific method and the experimental model 




1. Experimental models 




1. Cellular models: cell cultures


2. Animal models: rodents


3. Human Studies






2. Good practices and safety rules in research




1. Safety rules


2. Chemical handling


3. Toxic/hazardous products elimination


4. First aid measures




3. Biomolecular methods in Sports Sciences




1.  Biological samples




1. Harvesting and processing




1. Biopsies and biological fluids






2. Biomolecular techniques




1. Biochemistry techniques


2. Immunological techniques




1. ELISA


2. Western-blotting


3. Imunohistochemistry




3. Molecular Biology techniques




1. Metabolomics


2. Proteomics


3. Genomics




4. Microscopy




1. Histological and morphological evaluation




5. Analysis of results




1. Quality control


2. Bioinformatics


3. Statistic

Theorical-practical classes:

1. To prepare a study design proposing an experimental model in the context of a specific scientific research question;


2. Design of an experimental protocol using at least two of techniques mentionates based on the scientific question developed in  previous point;


3. To assess critically scientific papers related to the methodologies learned.

Mandatory literature

Massoud T.F., Hademenos G.J., Young w. l., Gao E., Pile-Sp+ellman J., Vinuela F.; Principles and philosophy of modeling in biomedical research, FASEB J. 12(3) 275-385, 1998
Wilson K., Walker K.; Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-110-9762-27-3
Amado F,. Domingues P., Domingues M.R.; Ferreira R., Vitorino R.; Análise de Proteínas - Guia de Laboratório, 100Luz, 2013. ISBN: 978-989-8448-23-1

Complementary Bibliography

Nuno Henrique Franco; Animal Experiments in Biomedical Research: A Historical Perspective, Animals (Basel) 3: 238-273, 2013

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures, for theoretical learning.
Laboratory visit and work group, for theoretical-practical learning.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	38,00
Trabalho escrito	28,00
Frequência das aulas	15,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

All students are required to attend 75% of lessions taught.

Theoretical component: exam.
Theoretical-Practical component: presence of at least 75% of lessons taught; participation in lessons activities; performance and presentation of three group works.

Calculation formula of final grade

Classification improvement

In accordance with the General Regulation of the University of Porto for evaluation.