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Unit information: Molecular Tools in Stem Cells and Regeneration in 2024/25

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Molecular Tools in Stem Cells and Regeneration
Unit code CSSBM1013
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Professor. Uney
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Bristol Medical School
Faculty Faculty of Health Sciences

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit covers powerful molecular methodologies and tools that allow us to study stem cells and to harness their potential for regenerative medicine. You will gain an understanding of the processes controlling cell fate, specification and differentiation as well as key regenerative signalling cascades. You will also be encouraged to consider the ethical ramifications of using stem cells and gene therapy techniques as advanced medicinal products.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

The molecular techniques you learn about will help you in understanding how the potential of stem cells can be harnessed to treat diseases of body systems that are covered in other units.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

  • Current methods in molecular and stem cell biology – e.g. gene cloning and analysis to study stem cell differentiation.
  • Genomics, transcriptomics and comparative proteomic approaches
  • The regulation of gene expression: e.g. by microRNAs, transcription factors and physiological cues
  • Manipulating gene expression to study the events controlling stem cell differentiation: E.g. Using Gene transfer/knockdown/editing techniques
  • Identifying pathways that mediate Regeneration: e.g. the application of genomic and proteomic techniques to investigate human neurological disease
  • Gene therapy approaches.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

As a result of this unit, you will be able to think critically about cutting-edge molecular techniques, both in terms of their potential but also their limitations. You will explore different communication methods commonly used by scientists to share their findings.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Discuss the latest molecular techniques used to investigate cellular function
  2. Understand how molecular techniques can be used to facilitate cell based and gene therapy approaches
  3. Illustrating different ways of communicating complex scientific information

How you will learn

This unit will offer you a range of learning opportunities such as pre-recorded resources together with live online sessions with discussion designed to encourage engagement and active learning. Formative tasks will encourage you to develop your skills and support your learning. You are also expected to engage in selecting additional reading from a suggested reading list, to support and further expand your learning.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

  • A live discussion session will provide opportunity for you to discuss your ideas on structure and content of the summative essay.
  • Tutor feedback on the technique you plan to present in your oral pre-recorded presentation.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

  • Infographic contributing 20% to the final unit mark (ILO 3)
  • Essay contributing 50% to the final unit mark (ILO 1,2)
  • Short pre-recorded oral presentation contributing 30% to the final unit mark (ILO 1, 3)

When assessment does not go to plan

If you do not pass the unit, you will normally be given the opportunity to take a reassessment as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes. Decisions on the award of reassessment will normally be taken after all taught units of the year have been completed. Reassessment will normally be in a similar format to the original assessment that has been failed.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CSSBM1013).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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