Medical Biotechnology

The general objective of the subject Medical Biotechnology is to familiarise the student with the basic concepts of 1) Pathology and 2) Clinical research, to have a substrate or context on which to place his/her biotechnological knowledge with regard to its application in a medical context. More specifically, the student will acquire competences to:

- List and recognise the causative agents and risk factors (aetiology) that determine the states of health and the development of the disease, as well as the mechanisms that lead to it (pathogenesis).
- Identify the genetic bases of Mendelian and complex or common diseases.
- Know how to define the molecular basis of the disease.
- Gather information contained in databases on these diseases and identify their importance.
- List the diagnostic methods used in clinical genetics/genomics.
- Define the concept of clinical trials, describe their role in the development of biotechnological products and select the most appropriate type of clinical trial design for each research question.

Syllabus (classroom-based, 20 hours):

- Cell injury and death
- Pathology induced by toxins
- Pathology induced by microorganisms
- Immune system: non-specific immune response
- Specific immune response
- Pathology of the immune system
- Hypoxia-induced pathology
- Pathology related to the environment
- Hereditary pathology
- Tumour pathology
- Clinical trials: Definition and types, ethical and legal aspects.
- Clinical trials: Definition of population and study groups.
- Clinical trials: Conducting, organising, registering, monitoring and managing clinical trials.

Seminars (face-to-face, 6 hours)
6 seminars: study of clinical cases and resolution of questions.

Laboratory practicals (face-to-face, 11 hours)
- 3 laboratory practicals of 2 hours of biomedicine.
- 5 hours in the bioinformatics classroom.

Tutorials (face-to-face/remote, 1.5 hours).
Personalised consultation according to the student's initiative.

Basic bibliography:

• Laso, F.L. Introducción a la Medicina Clínica. 4ª Edición. 2020, Elsevier.
• Martínez Nieto, C. Ensayos Clínicos en España. Ética, normativa, metodología y aspectos prácticos. 1ª edición 2010 Astellas Pharma.


Supplementary bibliography:

• Dal-Ré, R. et al. Luces y sombras en la investigación clínica. 1ª edicion, 2013. Triacastela. https://www.fundaciogrifols.org/es/web/fundacio/-/05-luces-y-sombras-en…

- Con01: Know the most important concepts, methods and results of the different branches of Biotechnology (CG1).
- H/D01: Think in an integrated way and approach problems from different perspectives with critical reasoning (CT1).
- H/D02: Search for, process, analyse/interpret and synthesise relevant information and results from different sources and draw conclusions on topics related to Biotechnology (FUSION TC2 + GC3).
- H/D05: Work in a team (TC5).
- H/D06: Maintain an ethical commitment, as well as a commitment to equality and integration (TC7).
- H/D07: Initiative, entrepreneurship and adaptation to new situations (resilience) (TC8, TC10).
- H/D08: Leadership and team management (CT9).
- H/D10: Knowing how to analyse data and interpret experimental results specific to the fields of Biotechnology (CE1).
- Comp01: That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) in order to make judgements that include a reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues (CB3).
- Comp02: That students are able, both in writing and orally, to discuss and convey information, ideas, problems and solutions related to Biotechnology to both specialist and non-specialist/general audiences (FUSION CB4 +CG4).
- Comp03: That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy (CB5).
- Comp04: That students know how to apply the theoretical-practical knowledge acquired in the degree in a professional manner and are competent in the approach/solution of problems, as well as in the elaboration/defence of arguments in both academic and professional contexts related to innovation and the biotechnology industry (FUSION CG2+CB2).
- Comp05: Study and learn autonomously, with organisation of time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in Biotechnology and acquire the ability to work in a team (CG5).

Lectures; class presentations by students of group work; problem-based learning (seminars); interactive laboratory sessions; tutorials.
- All the above-mentioned activities will be compulsory.
- All activities will be face-to-face except for tutorials, which will be optionally remote (Teams).

The virtual classroom will be used as a support tool: communication, repository of didactic material and discussion forums on specific topics.

- Exam with two sittings: 70% of the grade.
- Continuous assessment (written tests, work submitted and/or presented, student participation in the classroom, laboratory notebook): 30% of the grade.
- The assessment of the competences acquired will be carried out as part of the continuous assessment (participation, maturity of written work) and the final exam.

- Total number of hours of personal work of the student: 74
Lectures, seminars and practicals: 37
Study of the subject: 60
Preparation of individual or group work: 14
Tutorials: 1.5

- Active attendance and participation in lectures and seminars.
- Note-taking/notetaking
- Progressive but continuous study
- Taking advantage of the possibility of tutorials
- Follow-up of the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic and new emerging zoonoses through the media and specialised publications from the perspective of medical biotechnology (development and use of vaccines, drugs, diagnostic methods; clinical trials; elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease; bioethical issues, etc.).

- Previous knowledge:
Basic knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology (level of those acquired during the first 3 years of the Degree in Biotechnology).

- There will be an operational virtual classroom of the subject on the Moodle platform available to students).