TRIMESTER 1

The main goal of this module is to help students understand the basis of classifying parasites into their major groups and have the basic knowledge of how these groups of parasites cause diseases.

It will also help students to understand the various virulence factors associated with these parasites, and also help students to know the type of human immune response against these parasites. In addition to these, it will also help students to be familiar with the identification techniques and tests used in identifying these groups of parasites under microscope.

This module elaborates on the biology, pathology, epidemiology, immuno- and molecular- epidemiology of blood and tissue protozoa. Treatment and control strategies of diseases caused by these parasites are also discussed. Learners also get to apply modern diagnostic techniques in the field of parasitology.

The aim of this module is to provide basic understanding of biology at molecular level, including the interrelationship between DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. The module further introduces the role of nucleic acid amplification technology and blotting techniques in medical Laboratory diagnostics. At the end of this module, the students will be able to describe the interrelationship between DNA, RNA and proteins, explain gene expression and regulation in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, discuss gene mutation and phenotypic consequences, PCR technologies and their applications, detection of amplicons and finally understand quality assurance and quality control in Molecular Biology Laboratory.  

Brief description of aims and content

This module provides understanding in Laboratory investigation of immunological disorders, immunoassays development, Immunotherapies, principles of vaccine development and advanced immunological techniques

8. Graduate Attributes & Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1.     Immunological disorders

2.     Principles of immunological assays and their development

3.     The principles of vaccination

4.     Principles of immunotherapies

5.     Immunological techniques such as Flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence, antibody production and purification.

B. Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1.     Describe the intended purpose of immunoassays

2.     Describe assay validation pathways

3.     Describe different types of vaccines and their mechanisms

4.     Discuss the principles of immunotherapies

5.     Discuss the principles of immunological techniques

6.     Discuss antibody production and purification

C. Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills/Information Literacy

Having successfully completed this module, students should be able to:

1. Clearly deliver academic presentations on immunoassays development.
2. Organise different seminars and group presentations about immunoassays
3. Search immunology scientific literature
4. Competently manipulate different immunology analysers

5.     Perform and interpret different immunological techniques such Flow cytometry, Western blot, antibody production and purification.

Indicative content:

1. Laboratory investigation of immunological disorders:

—  Innate immunity

—  Investigation of complement and immune complex disorders

—  Assessment of the function of granulocytes (neutrophils)  and monocytes

—  Analysis of cytokines in vitro

2. Immunoassays

—  The principle of immunoassays

—  2.2. Development of immunoassays

—  2.3. Validation of immunoassays

3. Vaccination

—  Principle of vaccination and vaccine discoveries

—  Types of vaccination in use

—  Vaccine development (e.g. anti-viral)

4. Immunotherapies;

—  Activation immunotherapies;

—  Cancer immunotherapy,

—  Dendritic based pup priming

—  T cell adoptive transfer

Suppression immunotherapies

—  Immunosuppressive drugs

—  Immune tolerance

5. Advanced immunological techniques such as;

—  Flow cytometry

—  Western blot

COURSE PLAN

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Lectures: ………30………...hours

Discussions: …5………….hours

Assignments: …5……….hours

Demonstrations: 5…….hours

Practicals: ………25……….hours

Self-Study: ……28…….…hours

Test: ………………2………..hours

Total: ………100………………hours

Assessment: 50% continuous assessment; 50% examination

Research Resources (At least 3):

1.     Sally V. Rudmann, PhD, MT (ASCP) SBB, CLS. (2005). Textbook of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine - Elsevier eBook on VitalSource, 2nd Edition Saunders ISBN: 9781437719895

2.     Phil Learoyd, Robin Knight, Peter Rogan, Martin Haines (2009). An Introduction to Blood Transfusion Science and Blood Bank PracticePaperback

3.     American Association of Blood Banks: Practical Guide to Blood Transfusion, AABB Press, Bethesda, 2001