Animal and Clinical Experimentation

Code:

EBE0155

Acronym:

EACL

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biomedical Engineering

Instance: 2012/2013 - 1S

Active?	Yes
E-learning page:	http://moodle.up.pt/
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIB	37	Syllabus	5	-	5	60	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The acquisition of information in the field of experimental research involves the understanding of models and methods appropriate to respond to questions. Realizing that research using in vivo and / or in vitro models may involve a long-term goal, mainly developing a new drug and / or selecting a particular compound, or studying a gene mutation found in animals and humans or to investigate a fundamental process, including the transcription of genes. Learn how to choose the model that responds as close as possible to that expected in a human or another animal.
Be aware of the differences between the models to be used and the goal to achieve. The differences are as important as the similarities that allow us to reach an objective that would not be possible with a human being.
Be aware that doing animal research one have to take in consideration rules and guide lines, which are contemplated by the 3Rs recommendation.
Finally the purpose this subject is to prepare students for exposure to these methodologies, taking them to visit some research units with work being undertaken in several areas.
Acquisition of concepts and methods specific to the Epidemiology discipline. Familiarization with the proper language of a new scientific area. To understand how Epidemiology contributes to support medical practice. Critical appraisal of the value fo diagnostic tests and medical interventions. To accomplish simple epidemiological tasks autonomously, such as data tabulation and calculation of measures of disease frequency. To be able to handle some basic aspects of planning an epidemiologic investigation. To identify the main types of epidemiological studies and to be able to select the most appropriate design to answer a specific question. Critical appraisal of a scientific article.

Program

In the first part of this course, related to animal research, will be discussed the following topics:
1. Microbiological monitoring of laboratory animals
2. Biomaterials and regenerative medicine in cellular systems
3. Animal experimentation: ethics and law
4. Oncological diseases and experimental models: sporadic and induced
5. Animal model of disease: selection criteria and animal species
6. Collection/management of surgical simples concerning animal models of disease
7. Emerging animal models in biomedical research. Animal models for therapeutic strategies
8. Animal models for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
9. Models of zoonoses
10. In vitro models
11. Positive contributions of animal experimentation vs quality of life

In the second part of this course, related to clinical research, will be discussed the following topics
1. Types of study in humans (special attention will be devoted to experimental studies (clinical trials) and observational studies to evaluate the effect of interventions in humans)
2. Selection of participants / patients
3. Sampling - the selection criteria, types of sampling, sample size
4. Measures of frequency
5. Measures of effect
6. Evaluation and comparison of prognosis in patient groups
7. Random errors and systematic errors (bias)
8. Systematic review and meta-analysis
9. Ethical issues in research on humans

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretic-practical sessions (90 minutes).
Individual and group work under supervision at distance.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Calculation formula of final grade

Mean of the classification in two proposed assignments (weighting 50%/50%).

Classification improvement

Revision of the same assignments taking intou account the teachers' comments, similarly to the process of publication in peer-reveiewed journals.