BIOB3210 Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics Course description

The course deals with genetics, genes, DNA structure and function, and elucidates different approaches to how the field is studied and applied clinically. Gene technology methods are used in many of the health services’ laboratories - medical genetics, microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, hematology and immunology. Among other things, the methods are used in disease diagnostics, individually adapted medication, in vitro fertilisation, and in the detection of infectious microorganisms. New technology provides increasing opportunities to map hereditary factors and risks relating to the development of disease in future. This is strictly regulated in the Biotechnology Act. Ethical aspects of genetic analyses, both at the individual and societal levels, are therefore a key part of the course. The DNA analyses are used to identify persons, for instance in forensic medicine, which is not part of the health service.

In order to carry out the analyses and process and understand the results from the different fields, it is important to have knowledge of the methods used and have background knowledge of DNA and genes. Large quantities of data from new technology also makes requirements of competence and skills in bioinformatics.

Medical microbiology deals with all types of microorganisms that can cause infection in humans, and the immunological response to such infections. Microbiological laboratories are tasked with contributing to the detection and characterisation of infectious agents and, if relevant, antibodies in patients with a suspected infection. This is important to ensure the best possible treatment of the individual patient and to detect an outbreak as soon as possible, identify sources of infection in the event of outbreaks, sanitise the reservoir of infection and implement preventive measures against the further spread of infection.

Basic knowledge of medical microbiology and immunology are important because biomedical laboratory scientists are responsible for conducting and quality assuring the analyses and detection methods used in this type of laboratory. The course emphasises the detection and identification of microorganisms and determination of bacterial sensitivity/resistance to antibiotics, as well as methods for detecting antibodies against microorganisms. Emphasis is furthermore placed on how the different microorganisms cause infectious disease (pathogenesis) and how the balance between the microorganisms’ virulence and the host's immune system determines how serious the disease becomes.

• Passed first year or equivalent of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, with the exception of the course BIOB1060

or

• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the important properties of some of the most prevalent forms of human pathogenic microorganisms
• can give examples of how microorganisms can cause disease
• can describe the main principles of antibiotics’ mechanisms of action
• can describe some of the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and explain how bacteria can develop resistance to an antibiotic
• can explain how microorganisms can be determined with the help of microscopy, cultivation, bio-chemical, immunological and gene technology methods and mass spectrometry, and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can assess the importance that findings of different microorganisms can have in different types of sample material
• can explain the principles behind different immunological methods for detection of antibodies against microorganisms and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can explain quality assurance for relevant methods and analyses
• has knowledge of sample collection and the correct treatment of different types of sample material for microbiological investigations, and how analytical, pre- and postanalytical conditions influence analysis results
• can explain principles for sterilisation and disinfection
• is familiar with how social conditions affect the extent of various infectious diseases and the development of resistance at a national and global scale

Skills

The student

• can detect, isolate and identify important human pathogenic microorganisms and carry out resistance testing on antibiotics, quality assuring methods used and assess sources of error
• can carry out and quality assure different methods for detecting antibodies in patients in connection with infection or vaccination and assess possible sources of error related to these
• can perform work in a responsible manner that safeguards infection control
• can follow procedures for responsible waste management both with regards to the danger of infection and the environment

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the laws and regulations relating to infection control in society and the health services
• can reflect on his/her own practice, keeping up with the latest academic research, seeking and receiving supervision
• can interpret an order containing clinical information and provide the correct test result

Work and teaching methods include lectures, assignments (individually and in groups) and laboratory work.

Most teaching activities take place in the laboratory, where findings of microorganisms and their antibodies, if any, from different types of sample material are examined. Relevant theory is linked to practice through lectures, individual assignments and various forms of group assignments in addition to self-study.

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved:

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory work
• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled group work
• laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

Individual practical exam, 3 hours.

No aids are permitted.

A-F.

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Microbiology, 7 credits
• Infection immunology, 3 credits