Main objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to
  1  -  describe molecular and cellular principles of biotechnology
  2  -  describe the application of biotechnology to prevent, diagnose or treat human disease
  3  -  identify new developments in medical biotechnology
  4  -  design new strategies to use medical biotechnology in clinical practice
  5  -  recognize and evaluate ethical, regulatory and societal aspects of biotechnology in medicine
  6  -  carry out and understand biotechnological experiments and evaluate results critically
  7  -  work and collaborate effectively in a group
  8  -  effectively communicate scientific information orally and in writing

Medical biotechnology comprises the application of living cells or cell material in the development or generation of products to prevent, diagnose or treat human disease. Historical examples of biotechnology in support of medicine are the development of vaccines against smallpox and the production of antibiotics or human insulin by bacteria or yeast. Exciting 21st century developments are genetic engineering with CRISPR/Cas (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020), gene therapy, mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 and stem cell-based regenerative medicine. Medical biotechnology is a fascinating and rapidly evolving field, integrating molecular, cell biological, genetic and immunological research areas. The first part of this Minor runs together with the course NWI-MOL104 Medical Biotechnology for students from the Faculty of Science from the RU and provides an overview of how interdisciplinary efforts help shaping modern healthcare by developing biotechnological diagnostics and therapeutics for precision medicine. Principles and concepts of medical biotechnology will be discussed in a scientific and medical context, including legal, societal and ethical considerations. Together with students from different life sciences disciplines you will write a medical biotechnological research proposal and present this at a mini-symposium. In the second half of the Minor you will carry out experiments in four different projects in the lab. These include molecular diagnostics (e.g., PCR, sequencing), recombinant DNA techniques, recombinant protein production, cell culture and adhesion assays, and cell transfection experiments mimicking gene therapy. Altogether, Medical Biotechnology towards Clinical Practice presents an excellent practical and theoretical course for students interested in molecular life sciences and in biotechnological innovations for patient care. For questions please do not hesitate to contact the coordinator at rick.wansink@radboudumc.nl. Key words Recombinant therapeutics, CRISPR/Cas, genetic engineering, gene therapy, vaccines, molecular diagnostics, biologics, stem cells, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, immunotherapy Relation This Minor builds on prior molecular, cell biological, genetic and immunological knowledge provided in the Bachelor programs for Biomedical Sciences and Medicine. Study path The Minor contains plenary and interactive lectures, E-learning computer practicals, literature study, group presentations and tutor meetings to support the writing of a research proposal, and practical lab work, including report writing and individual presentations. Examination Assessment consists of eight parts (each must be graded at least 5.5 to pass the course): Written exam Q9 (midterm; individual; weight 20%) Performance during research proposal writing (individual; weight 5%) Written mini-review and research proposal (group; weight 20%) Oral presentation of research proposal (group; weight 5%) Oral presentation of lab project (individual; weight 7.5%) Three written lab project reports (individual; total weight 30%) Performance during lab practicals (individual; weight 5%) Written exam Q10 (final; individual; weight 7.5%) Literature This Minor builds on background information in: ▪ Baynes / Dominiczak: Medical Biochemistry (5th ed., 2019) ▪ Alberts / Hopkin / Johnson / Morgan / Raff / Roberts / Walter: Essential Cell Biology (5th ed., 2019) ▪ Turnpenny PD, Ellard S: Emery's elements of medical genetics (15th ed., 2017) ▪ Parham: The Immune System (4th ed., 2014) Links to additional study material (reviews, primary research papers) will be provided via  Brightspace.