Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - Barcelona

Microbiology Laboratory

• code 13556
• course 3
• term Semester 2
• type op
• credits 2

Module: ELECTIVE

Matter: ELECTIVE

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Head instructor

MsU Yolanda Jacoba DE ROO - yjderoo@uic.es

Office hours

Please send an email to set up a meeting:

Yolanda de Roo: yjderoo@uic.es 

The course Protein and Genetic engineering focuses on how (bio)materials improve the combat against microorganisms. On the one hand, specific materials have antibacterial capacities and on the other hand (bio)materials aid in the delivery of antibacterial drugs and possible combinations of tissue regenerating stimulants. Laboratory practical work with different materials or antibacterial strategies will be done and different bacterial detection methodologies will be covered. Also, different antibacterial strategies depending on the infected tissue will be discussed.     

Molecular and cell biology

Biomaterials and Biocompatibility

-        Know the different antibacterial strategies employed in Bioengineering

-        Understand which problems arise with bacterial infections in different tissues/clinical cases.

-        Learn to work with different techniques to detect bacterial growth.

-        Known the different applications of biomaterials in antibacterial therapies

• CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
• CB2 - Students must know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and have the competences that are demonstrated through the creation and defence of arguments and the resolution of problems within their field of study.
• CB3 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) and to issue judgements that include a reflection on important issues that are social, scientific or ethical in nature.
• CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• CB5 - Students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
• CE17 - To be able to identify the engineering concepts that can be applied in the fields of biology and health.
• CE21 - The ability to understand and apply biotechnological methodologies and tools to research, as well as to the development and production of products and services.
• CE6 - To incorporate the foundations of science and materials technology, while taking into account the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or process and the properties of materials.
• CG10 - To know how to work in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment.
• CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
• CG4 - To resolve problems based on initiative, be good at decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and communication, as well as the transmission of knowledge, skills and prowess in the field of Bioengineering
• CG5 - To undertake calculations, valuations, appraisals, expert reports, studies, reports, work plans and other similar tasks.
• CG8 - To apply quality principles and methods.
• CT3 - To know how to communicate learning results to other people both verbally and in writing, and well as thought processes and decision-making; to participate in debates in each particular specialist areas.
• CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.
• CT6 - To detect gaps in your own knowledge and overcome this through critical reflection and choosing better actions to broaden your knowledge.
• CT7 - To be fluent in a third language, usually English, with a suitable verbal and written level that is in line with graduate requirements.

Finalizing this course, the student will be able to:

-        Perform antibacterial assays with (bio)materials and/or antibiotics

-        Work in a microbiology laboratory

-        Develop a critical opinion and be able to suggest improved antibacterial strategies.

PRACTICAL WORK

1. (Bio)materials with antibacterial properties
2. The combination of (bio)materials and antibiotics
3. Cellular effects of antibacterial strategies with (bio)materials.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Laboratory documentation
2. Project: the employment of (bio)materials against bacterial infections in different tissues.

The course has limited theoretical lectures before or during the laboratory work. Before every laboratory practice, the student will have to prepare the experiment(s). The student will be held maximally responsible and autonomous in the laboratory with the lecturer in close proximity. After every laboratory practice, the student will have to document the experiments in the laboratory book. To enhance the knowledge on antibacterial strategies employed with (bio)materials, the students will have to expand on a project with different methods of (bio)materials use and the antibacterial effects in different tissues.

First sitting:

⁃                 Laboratory assistance 20%

⁃                 Project 20 %

⁃                 Laboratory book 20%

⁃                 Final exam 40%

All the evaluable components are obligatorily to pass the course. Assistance to every laboratory practice is obligatory and punctuality will be evaluated.

Second sitting: The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, without the possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors.

Important considerations:

1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be
   zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
2. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
3. Assistance needs to be 100% to pass the course.
4. A minimal mark of 4,5 should be obtained in the final exam to pass the course.
5. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.

Scientific publications