Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Practices

Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry Practices
3
15774
1
Second semester
OB
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff


Dra. LÁZARO GOTOR, Blanca - blazaro@uic.es

Any questions that arise may be addressed with the respective practical instructors, always informing the course coordinator in advance.

Responsable: Blanca Lázaro

Eva Rojo

Claudia Martínez

Carlos Palacín


Introduction

This course combines in a single block the laboratory sessions of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Cellular and Molecular Pathology, and Biochemistry. Its purpose is to enable students to put into practice the knowledge acquired in these subjects and to develop basic laboratory skills.

Throughout the sessions, students will learn to use different experimental techniques, to follow protocols appropriately, and to analyze the results obtained. The course will also encourage teamwork, responsibility in the laboratory environment, and the integration of knowledge from different areas of biomedical sciences.

In this way, the course provides practical training that complements theoretical content and prepares students to face future academic and professional challenges in the fields of biomedicine and research.

Pre-course requirements

Previous completion of Cell Biology, Biochemistry I, and Molecular Biology.

Objectives

General Objectives of the Course:

  • Provide students with basic knowledge of chemistry and its application in biological and experimental contexts.

  • Train students in the safe and efficient use of laboratory equipment and reagents.

  • Develop practical skills for preparing solutions, analyzing data, and designing experiments.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
The Laboratory Practices in Biomedicine course contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals by training students in experimental competencies, teamwork, and responsibility in laboratory environments. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) is promoted through the acquisition of practical skills in Molecular, Cellular, and Biochemistry, which are fundamental for biomedical research and the development of diagnostics and treatments; SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the integration of theoretical and practical knowledge, fostering critical thinking and research autonomy; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the learning of innovative techniques, protocols, and methodologies applied in the laboratory; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaborative work and interdisciplinary integration. In this way, the course prepares students to contribute responsibly and sustainably to the advancement of science and health, reinforcing the practical training needed for future academic and professional challenges.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CN15 - Identify analytical and experimental methodologies used in the field of Biomedical Sciences, whether they be established or cutting-edge.
  • CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
  • CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
  • HB01 - Interpret basic data obtained in the biomedical research laboratory, identifying consistent and inconsistent elements, both individually and in a team.
  • HB07 - Differentiate instrumental and experimental techniques of disciplines within the field of Biomedical Sciences, critically assessing their suitability for a proposed experimental objective.
  • HB11 - Use analytical and experimental techniques to obtain and record results.

Learning outcomes of the subject

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Identify safety regulations, risk prevention protocols, and appropriate procedures for handling materials, reagents, and waste in a laboratory.

  • Correctly use basic laboratory equipment, ensuring proper operation and calibration.

  • Design basic laboratory experiments and apply computer tools, such as Excel, for data processing.

  • Perform basic handling techniques with accuracy in the measurement and transfer of liquids and solids.

  • Solve basic chemical problems applied to biological systems.

  • Prepare chemical solutions accurately, applying stoichiometric concepts.

  • Apply fundamental cell and molecular biology techniques to study biological processes and their relationship with physiological and pathological states.

  • Interpret experimental data obtained through cellular, molecular, and biochemical analyses, linking the results to key theoretical concepts.

  • Handle laboratory equipment and materials precisely and safely, following established protocols for performing experiments in cell culture, nucleic acid extraction, and biomolecule quantification.

  • Recognize cellular and molecular alterations through tissue observation and analysis, relating these modifications to inflammatory processes and specific pathologies.

  • Integrate multidisciplinary tools to investigate complex biological phenomena and propose experimental solutions to problems related to cell and molecular biology.

Syllabus

Course introduction (2h)

Block I – Cell Biology

  • Practical 1 (3h): Passage, counting, and seeding of A549 cells.

  • Practical 2 (1h): Cell treatment.

  • Practical 3 (2h): Observation of treatment effects. MTT assay and cell viability measurement.

Block II – Molecular Biology

  • Practical 4 (2h): RNA extraction.

  • Practical 5 (2h): Reverse transcription (RT).

  • Practical 6 (2h): qPCR.

  • Practical 7 (2h): Conventional PCR.

Block III – Cellular and Molecular Pathology

  • Practical 8 (2h): Tissue observation under the microscope.

  • Practical 9 (2h): Histopathology.

  • Practical 10 (2h): Inflammation processes.

Block IV – Biochemistry

  • Practical 11 (2h): Determination of carbohydrates.

  • Practical 12 (2h): Determination of proteins.

  • Practical 13 (2h): Determination of lipids.

  • Practical 14 (2h): Determination of enzymatic Km.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Modality: Fully face-to-face in the laboratory.

Laboratory practices (LP): Experimental demonstration in the laboratory of the concepts covered in previous courses. Familiarization with the most common experimental resources used in biomedical research.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



  • Laboratory exams (60% of the final grade):
    Four exams will be held, one for each practical block. Each exam will represent 15% of the final grade. Exams will take place on the last day of each block and will assess the content covered in that block. They may include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, true/false, and/or problem-solving. Multiple-choice exams will have four answer options, with only one correct. Scoring will be as follows: +1 point for a correct answer and -0.33 points for an incorrect answer.

  • Laboratory report (40% of the final grade):
    The quality, clarity, scientific rigor, and adequacy of the report in relation to the results obtained in the laboratory will be assessed.

The teaching staff reserves up to an additional 10% of the final grade, based on qualitative criteria such as involvement in practical sessions, active participation, and respect for basic rules of operation and coexistence.

The assessment in the 2–6 examination session will consist of a practical exam covering the contents of the four blocks, as well as the submission of a practical report.

General criteria:

  • A minimum grade of 5 in each practical block is required to calculate the overall average.

  • If a grade of 5 is not achieved in any block, students must take the corresponding block exam in the final course exam.

  • If the weighted average of all blocks is below 5, students must take a comprehensive exam covering all four blocks and submit a new laboratory report.

  • Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory to obtain the maximum grade. Only absences justified according to student regulations will be accepted.

  • Changes between groups must be done by swap and require prior approval from the course coordinator.

  • An unjustified absence from a practical session will result in the exam grade for that block being multiplied by 0.6. More than one unjustified absence will prevent passing the course.

  • Entry to the laboratory will not be allowed if more than 10 minutes have passed since the session started; this will be considered an unjustified absence.

  • Expulsion from the laboratory due to inappropriate behavior will be considered an unjustified absence.

  • Improper use of electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops) or laboratory materials will result in expulsion from the laboratory. Improper use includes unauthorized recording or dissemination of students or staff, as well as using devices for recreational rather than educational purposes.


Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E2 23/06/2026 A16 14:00h
Print version