BSc Biology

You will gain an understanding of a range of cutting-edge methods that are used across biomedical research. Guided by recent high-impact publications you will learn about the type of research that can be addressed with each of the presented techniques. Among the methods covered will be gene editing and ‘omics, microscopy and imaging, electrophysiology, behavioural testing, big data and data analysis.

To provide students with an understanding of how cutting-edge methods are used in biomedical research. Guided by recent publications the students will learn about the type of research that can be addressed with each of the presented techniques. The course will provide an excellent core knowledge needed for understanding overall biomedical research and the publications across a range of related fields including neuroscience, biomedicine, clinical research.

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate methods for gene editing across different biological systems.
• Explain the principles of gene editing techniques, including CRISPR, and their application in generating transgenic models.
• Compare different types of transgenic mice, including knock-out, knock-in, inducible, and conditional models (e.g., CRE-Lox systems).
• Assess the advantages, limitations, and ethical considerations of gene editing technologies in biomedical research.

2. Discuss the use of modern ‘omics technologies in biomedical research, including analysis of ‘omics datasets.
• Describe key experimental approaches in large-scale genomics and proteomics.
• Outline the workflow for generating and analysing large-scale ‘omics datasets, and the power of integrating these data.

3. Describe key microscopy and imaging techniques and their application in different settings.
• Explain the principles and applications of different microscopy techniques, including light, fluorescence, and two-photon microscopy.
• Compare approaches used in anatomical studies, including tissue preparation methods such as immunohistochemistry.
• Evaluate functional imaging techniques, including in vivo two-photon microscopy and fibre photometry, for studying neuronal and physiological activity.
• Discuss the imaging methods used in clinical settings.

4. Explain the principles and applications of advanced experimental techniques in neuroscience.
• Describe electrophysiological recording techniques, from single-cell to multi-channel recordings in anaesthetised and freely-moving animals.
• Compare behavioural testing approaches, from classical memory and conditioning assays to modern techniques for analysing naturalistic behaviours.
• Evaluate how electrophysiology, imaging, and behavioural studies contribute to understanding neural circuits and brain function.

5. Critically read, interpret, and evaluate scientific literature.
• Identify and assess key findings, methodologies, and limitations in primary research articles.
• Discuss the impact of findings within the broader context of biomedical research.
• Communicate scientific concepts effectively through written and oral discussions.
 

The course will start with an introduction of model systems used in biomedical research, including different types of transgenic mice and how they can be generated. We will also cover modern ‘omics techniques including large-scale genomic, and proteomic and the power of integrating these data. Then we will focus on imaging techniques used for anatomical and functional studies. For anatomical studies, we will discuss basics of microscopy and important techniques for tissue preparation. For functional studies, we will learn about 2photon microscopy and in vivo fibre photometry. We will then focus on cutting-edge methods in neuroscience, including electrophysiological recordings from single-cell to multi-channel recordings in anaesthetised and awake freely-moving animals. We will also discuss behavioural testing from classic tests for memory and conditioning to modern methods for analysing naturalistic behaviours. The course will finish with imaging methods used in clinical setting in humans. The knowledge provided will form an essential foundation to any of the lab-based projects in biomedical research, and will provide a solid foundation to aid comprehension of scientific literature.

A graphical abstract (30% of mark) based on a choice of a few given papers is a single, concise and visual summary of the main findings of the paper. It will aid the students in understanding the research papers and the key methods in biomedical research.

1.5 hours examination (70%) - Written essay. Answer one question from a selection

Time is provided at the end of each lecture for questions and feedback from students. There is a dedicated discussion forum in Blackboard where students can address questions about the lecture material. Students will be provided with the opportunity to submit an answer to an exam question essay for formative feedback. The final session in the semester is a dedicated question and answer session that wraps up all the lectures and gives the opportunity for exam specific feedback.

The course utilises review and research papers but the following texts can provide useful background information:

1. Guy, C & Ffytche, D, An Introduction to the Principles of Medical Imaging (Revised Edition), Imperial College Press, 2005, Background
2. Hibbs, AR, Confocal Microscopy for Biologists, Plenum, 2004, Background
3. Toga, M (eds.), Brain Mapping: The Methods, Academic Press, 2002, Background
4. Donald W. McRobbie, Elizabeth A. Moore, Martin J. Graves and Martin R. Prince. MRI From picture to proton, Cambridge University press.
5. Rettinger, J ; Schwarz, S ; Schwarz, W. Electrophysiology: Basics, Methods, Modern Approaches and Applications (2022). Second edition.
6. Pereira, T.D., Shaevitz, J.W. & Murthy, M. Quantifying behavior to understand the brain. Nat Neurosci 23, 1537–1549 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-020-00734-z 
7. Jesse D. Marshall, Tianqing Li, Joshua H. Wu, Timothy W. Dunn, Leaving flatland: Advances in 3D behavioral measurement, Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 73, 2022, 102522, ISSN 0959-4388, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2022.02.002 
8. Buzsaki, G (2012) The origin of extracellular fields and currents — EEG, ECoG, LFP and spikes. Nature reviews Neuroscience (13) 
9. Dai X., & Shen L., Advances and Trends in Omics Technology Development. Sec. Translational Medicine 9 (2022)
10. Whalen, S., Schreiber, J., Noble, W.S. et al. Navigating the pitfalls of applying machine learning in genomics. Nat Rev Genet 23, 169–181 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-021-00434-9
11. Hasin, Y., Seldin, M. & Lusis, A. Multi-omics approaches to disease. Genome Biol 18, 83 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-017-1215-1