Award in the Application of Biotechnology and Phylogenesis in Drug Discovery and Development
MQF/EQF Level: 6
ECTS: 6
Qualification/Certification Type: Award – Higher Education Programme
Course Duration: Part-time – 16 weeks
Total No of Hours: 160 hours
Language/s of instruction of the educational programme: English
Target Audience: 21+ years
Target Group:
Laboratory Managers/Supervisors/Coordinators
Laboratory Scientists
Quality Control Analysts
Research and Development Analysts
Quality Officers
Course Rationale:
This educational programme will provide students with a base for scientific research in various fields of biotechnology, particularly cell culture and analytical chemistry, applied to drug discovery and development. It will allow them to observe and get directly involved in laboratory testing and procedures, besides the theoretical part that will help them acquire knowledge in the identification and characterisation of different molecules obtained from vegetal extracts and the effect of these molecules in vitro using cell cultures.
The research pathways followed at ARTA and the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP Ltd) laboratories have been developed through more than 20 years of experience in biochemical and metabolic activity studies focusing on the use of plant extracts and their therapeutic effects in humans. The educational programme will be led by researchers of ICP, giving students the possibility to practice all the theoretical concepts explained during the lectures within specialised laboratories.
Delivery:
Face-to-face lectures and practical sessions. The course is planned to be delivered in three phases:
Phase 1 (Week 1-6):
6 hours weekly consisting of 3 hours lectures and 3 hours supervised practicals
Phase 2 (Week 7-14):
8 hours weekly consisting of 4 hours lectures and 4 hours supervised practicals
Phase 3 (Week 15-16):
Closure and Summative assessment
- Assessment 1 (4 hours) Observed Practical
- Assessment 2 (4 hours) Written Assignment
- Assessment 3 (2 hours) Competency Test
Contact hours (lectures/tutorials) – 50 hours
Practical sessions – 50 hours
Self-study hours – 50 hours
Assessment hours – 10 hours
Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
Through this course, participants will learn how various techniques emerging from different scientific fields (analytical chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, etc) can be utilised together in a practical industrial R&D setting so as to bring about advances in nutraceutical products. Learners will, in particular, be able to:
- understand standard industrial laboratory separation and identification techniques, through the use of HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, UV-Vis/IR Spectroscopy, etc.
- understand the concept and importance of using in-vitro cell culture techniques to investigate the biological effects of isolated molecules.
- understand molecular biological techniques such as Western Blot, ELISA and Immunofluorescent assay.
- identify methods and databases used in R&D projects in order to identify and characterise unknown compounds.
- understand the application of vegetal phylogenesis for new drug investigations.
- work within a research team.
- describe and communicate processes in a scientific manner.
- understand the importance of timelines in R&D projects and write/plan a project.
Learning Outcomes for Communication Skills –
- Critique and communicate a process in a scientific manner
- Analyse laboratory/industry practical processes
- Comprehend the timeline of R&D projects and write/plan a project
- Demonstrate the principles of a solvent extraction processes
- Apply cell culture techniques and perform cell biology processes
Learning Outcomes for Learning to Learn Skills –
- Analyse databases and methods used during a R&D project to identify and characterise an unknown solution of chemicals.
- Act and work within a research team
- Demonstrate the capacity to assemble and perform specific extraction and characterisation tests
- Appraise both fields of Biology and Chemistry and understand the link between them in performing R&D.
Competences –
- Completely overview the extraction processes
- Evaluate types of solvents to be used according to the type of molecules that need to be extracted
- Fractionate and make use of different types of fractions
- Use sophisticated state-of-the-art instrumentation, such as: HPLC, GC-MS, LCMS/MS, UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy to perform chemical characterisation analysis
- Detail the processes of cultivating cells and maintaining a cell culture
- Construct a certificate of analysis for an extract through a combination of biological and chemical testing
Knowledge –
- Extraction process using plant material
- Theoretical workings of laboratory instrumentation
- Practical workings of laboratory procedures
- The R&D cycle from starting material to finished marketable product, etc.
Skills –
- Perform an extraction on a biological medium (plant material)
- Setup and use laboratory instrumentation
- Grow and use a cell culture
- Create a Certificate of Analysis for a finished product (extract)
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities –
- Identify and solve problems associated with the process of extraction
- Question the evidence and judge during the evaluation process on the type of solvents
- Conceptualise the application of experiments during practical lab work
- Decide accurately following analysis of finished product (extract)
Assessment:
Assessment 1 will involve the observation of a set practical (4 hours) to be carried out in line with Standard Operating Procedures. Pass mark: 35%.
Assessment 2 will take the form of an assignment (requiring approximately 4 hours of research and drafting) involving self-study and work after lecturing hours. The assignment will take on the format of a typical ‘Laboratory Report’ based on the process and analysis and interpretation of results of Assessment 1, as explained during lectures. Hence, the work will be entirely authentic. Pass mark: 35%.
Assessment 3 will involve an invigilated examination (2 hours) which will consist of ten short answer questions (c. 100-200 words each). Pass mark: 30%.
Students are to attempt and achieve a minimum of 50% in all three assessments to have successfully completed the award and be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.
Entry Requirements:
Students should be in possession of an MQF/EQF Level 6 qualification in a science subject; or an MQF/EQF Level 5 qualification in science of not less than 30 ECTS plus a minimum of two years relevant work experience in the analytical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or cosmetic sector.
Seeing that the course will be delivered in English and will include highly technical terminology, candidates must also possess excellent written and spoken English skills and be in possession of at least a B2 level in the English language.
It is assumed that students having a degree or diploma at MQF level 5 or 6 in science are computer literate. However, where digital competence needs to be measured, the student must be in possession of the European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent.
Registration and Date of Next Intake:
This course will be offered as from July 2023 (subject to minimum and maximum number of students enrolled).
Closing date for registration is 15th June 2023.
Please contact us for further information.