Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Techniques for Biomedical Analysis I

Techniques for Biomedical Analysis I
6
13493
3
First semester
OB
BIOMEDICAL TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English

Teaching staff


Dr. ZAGMUTT CAROCA, Sebastián Ignacio - szagmutt@uic.es

Questions will be answered before or after class. Answers to non-face-to-face questions will be given by videoconference.

 

Introduction

The course Biomedical Analysis Techniques II contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 3, 4, 9, 10, and 12, by promoting health and well-being, high-quality scientific education, biomedical innovation, equity in access to accurate diagnostics, and the responsible

Pre-course requirements

No course is required as a prerequisite; however, knowledge of the concepts of atoms and molecular structure, biochemistry and cell biology is strongly recommended.

Objectives

  • Explain the principles of the most common optical (photometric) and electrochemical (potentiometric) measurements and their application in determining analyte concentrations.
  • Describe macromolecule separation techniques, understanding their principles and applications in biomedicine.
  • Guide in the interpretation of the principles of antibody-based immunochemical techniques and their use in identifying macromolecules.
  • Present the techniques used in the study of genetic material and molecular diagnostics, as well as their conceptual basis.
  • Promote the analysis of the fundamentals of “omics” technologies and their relevance for the simultaneous study of multiple biomolecules.
  • Enable students to critically evaluate and assess the results obtained through the main analytical techniques used in biomedicine.

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

Upon completing the course, students should be able to:


● Explain the physicochemical principles underlying the main analytical techniques used in biomedical analysis.

● Compare different macromolecule separation methods, evaluating their basis, applications, and usefulness in clinical and research contexts.

● Interpret the fundamentals and applications of immunochemical and immunodiagnostic techniques in biomedical analysis.

● Apply knowledge of molecular diagnostic techniques and omics technologies to identify biomarkers and study genetic material.

● Analyze the complete clinical laboratory process, from pre-analytical to post-analytical phases, considering metrological, qualitative, and quality control aspects.

Syllabus

Topic 1. Physicochemical techniques for biomedical analysis
Electromagnetic radiation, atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy, molecular absorption spectroscopy, scattering spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. Principles and applications in the biomedical field

Topic 2. Macromolecule separation techniques
Types of chromatography: column, partition, ion-exchange, exclusion, affinity, gas, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Electrophoresis and other macromolecule separation techniques

Topic 3. Immunochemical techniques
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Antigen-antibody reaction. Agglutination and precipitation techniques. Immunoassays with labeled reagents

Topic 4. Molecular diagnostic techniques
Isolation and quantification of genetic material. Amplification techniques. Nucleic acid hybridization. Sequencing techniques. Applications in the biomedical field

Topic 5. Integration of analytical techniques
Techniques for studying proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleotides

Topic 6. “Omics” technologies
Fundamentals and applications of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics

Topic 7. Metrological and semiological aspects of the laboratory

Case Methods (CM)

  • CM 1: Photometry Exercises I

  • CM 2: Photometry Exercises II

  • CM 3: Chromatography Exercises

  • CM 4: Protein Quantification with Image J

  • CM 5: Quantitative RT-PCR

  • CM 6: MicroArray

  • CM 7: Project

  • CM 8: Metrology

Laboratories

  • Laboratory 1: Photometry

  • Laboratory 2: Chromatography

  • Laboratory 3: Immunochemical Techniques

  • Laboratory 4: RNA/DNA Extraction

  • Laboratory 5: Metrology

Teaching and learning activities

In person



Fully in-person classroom modality
The content will be delivered through three different teaching methodologies or activities:

Lectures (30 total hours): the teaching staff conveys knowledge to the entire student group in the classroom.

Case Method (16 total hours): students, working in groups, solve clinical cases or exercises provided by the teaching staff on the same day. In the classroom, students present their conclusions with active participation from the teaching staff, who may introduce new concepts whenever necessary.

Practical Classes / Laboratory (14 total hours): experimental demonstrations in the laboratory of concepts studied in theoretical classes, under the supervision of the teaching staff.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



1. Assessment

First call

  • Midterm exam: 20%

  • Case method resolution: 15%

  • Laboratory practices: 15%

  • Final exam: 50%

Second call

  • Same criteria as in the first call.

Repeating students

  • The continuous assessment grade (Laboratory, Case Methods, Practices) is preserved.

  • Students may choose to repeat attendance and obtain new grades; in that case, the most recent grade will always be considered.

  • The midterm exam grade is not preserved.

  • Important: if students decide to rejoin the course activities, they cannot abandon attendance halfway through the course. The decision to participate implies completing the course under the same conditions as the rest of the group.

2. General conditions

  • To average with the continuous assessment, a minimum grade of 5.0 in the final exam is required.

  • Exams may include:

    • Multiple-choice questions (4 options, with a penalty of –0.33 for each wrong answer)

    • True/False

    • Short answers

  • The evaluated contents will cover: lectures, case methods, and laboratory practices.

3. Evaluation of activities

Laboratory practices (15%)

  • At the beginning of each session: content test.

  • At the end: laboratory report with performed operations and results.

  • Final grade: average of initial tests and submitted reports.

Case Methods (15%)

  • Group work, with stable groups throughout the course.

  • At the end of each session: group report, available to all students.

  • In some cases: individual tests or presentations.

  • Final grade: average of all activities performed.

4. Attendance

  • Lectures: not mandatory, but recommended. Expulsion negatively affects continuous assessment.

  • Laboratory practices: mandatory. Expulsion or absence from laboratory sessions is equivalent to a failing grade for the corresponding percentage of the laboratory assessment (15%).

  • Case methods: optional attendance, but a minimum of 6 out of 8 sessions is required for evaluation. Up to 2 unjustified absences are graded with 0.

5. Honors

  • Active participation, involvement in methodologies, and respect for basic rules will be valued.

6. Use of electronic devices

  • Improper use of mobile phones, tablets, or computers may result in expulsion. Improper use includes:

    • Recording or sharing images/sound of students or professors.

    • Using devices for entertainment or non-educational purposes.

Bibliography and resources

-          Drs. Pilar Roca, Jordi Oliver, Ana Mª Rodríguez, (2003). Bioquímica: Técnicas y Métodos. Helice

-          Roberta Reed, Ph.D. Bioquímica clínica serie de guías de formación. Abbot

-          J. M. González de Buitrago, (2010). Técnicas y métodos del laboratorio clínico 3rd Edition. Elsevier

-          Graphpad

-          Microsoft Excel

-          Calculator

-          ImageJ

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 16/01/2026 I3 14:00h
  • E2 23/06/2026 I3 11:00h
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