91817 Medical Biotechnology
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91142 Biotechnology
Description
This subject is designed to enable students to consolidate and apply already gained scientific and molecular biology knowledge towards discovery and development of medical biotechnologies. It also provides an opportunity for the development of laboratory skills related to in vitro models of various diseases using cell culture-based techniques in the HIVE laboratory. Research in the field of medical biotechnology has created breakthrough treatments for cancer, respiratory disease, heart disease and diabetes, life-changing diagnostics and disease-eradicating vaccines, which have significantly improved and extended human lives. In this subject, during a series of laboratory practicals, workshops and inquiry-orientated learning activities, students develop comprehensive understanding of the application of cutting-edge technologies. They gain in-depth understanding of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation as part of research projects that can lead to discovery and development of biotechnologies for the management and treatment of human diseases. Students also learn about the clinical translation of research and commercialisation of novel concepts and discoveries. Innovative assessments enable students to develop research and laboratory skills, critically appraise the literature, identify gaps in the knowledge, design experiments, carry out a laboratory-based mini project in the HIVE, analyse and interpret datasets, and communicate scientific findings. Ethical considerations in experimental design are discussed in the context of research. Students develop up-to-date understanding of the clinical needs in a range of medical areas and are able to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies for biomarker and drug discovery. The students comprehend the pathways for the development of cell-based, biologics or gene therapies as well as regenerative medicine and drug repurposing. Therefore, the students gain research-based knowledge and skills related to the state-of-the-art technologies employed in research to create original discoveries and develop medical biotechnologies, from a molecule to patient.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Critically appraise published literature in a range of medical specialities. |
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| 2. | Design and develop experimental plan to interrogate important research questions. |
| 3. | Explain ethical considerations in medical research. |
| 4. | Critically analyse experimental findings in light of the hypothesis, experimental design and already published literature. |
| 5. | Describe clinical applications of different cutting-edge biotechnologies. |
| 6. | Compare and contrast different biotechnology methodologies and their application in the medical field. |
| 7. | Evaluate the latest discoveries and report on the scientific findings to both scientific audience and general public. |
| 8. | Develop creative thinking to address gaps in the knowledge and clinical needs. |
| 9. | Consolidate and improve scientific written and oral communication skills. |
| 10. | Develop laboratory-based and research skills in cell culture and in vitro models of disease |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Explain how current and emerging molecular biotechnologies can be used to pioneer better health care or help solve or otherwise address environmental issues, and to evaluate and integrate economic and scientific strategies that influence the translation of new biotechnology products to the marketplace. (1.1)
- Critically evaluate information from sources such as databases and published literature to identify novel research ideas and apply strategic and creative reasoning to find solutions or articulate issues related to biotechnology. (2.1)
- Articulate the role and place of bio-business in the economy, with due consideration of global risk perceptions and the legal and regulatory requirements in biotechnology. (3.1)
- Demonstrate a confident independence to identify problems or unmet needs and act to find innovative and creative solutions with an understanding of the social, disciplinary, economic, and contextual barriers. (4.1)
- Display effective and appropriate professional communication skills (oral, written, visual) in order to pitch ideas, generate defensible, convincing arguments or transmit research findings within a multi-disciplinary setting. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The Faculty of Science has six new graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. This subject is intended to develop 5 of these attributes:
Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary Knowledge
You will develop cell culture-based laboratory skills and comprehend the basic principles of in vitro disease modelling and testing of therapeutics. You will learn about the fundamental principles and clinical applications of cutting-edge technologies important for the development of improved monitoring and treatments of human diseases. By actively participating in pre-reading, practicals, tutorials/workshops and assignments you will learn the fundamental principles and application of cutting-edge technologies in medical biotechnology field. You will develop the transdisciplinary knowledge and comprehension of a diverse range of new and emerging technologies in “omics”, advanced imaging, and patient-orientated research tools and their application to address clinical needs.
As part of inquiry based learning to compete all assessments, an up-to-date understanding of the knowledge in the field, clinical needs in a certain research area will be achieved through reading published research and review papers as well as white papers and media releases. Evaluation of the advancement in the management and treatment of patients through the use of biotechnology will require chronological and in-depth understanding of the research being carried out in a certain medical area. This will lead to identification of the knowledge gaps and clinical needs as well as the application of the knowledge to design experimental plan to address these gaps/needs.
Graduate Attribute 2 – Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
During the practicals you will be required to conduct your own research/inquire-based learning to understand/design the methodologies used and application of the work being carried out in the HIVE. The workshops will encourage creative thinking to solve clinical needs through research by choosing suitable research methodologies. You will also be able to design your own project addressing the gaps in clinical knowledge therefore demonstrating your understanding of the application of the research methodologies and technologies to different types of medical discoveries.
You will learn how to critically and systematically interpret the results obtained during the practical to produce a research paper and be able to synthesise the conclusions in the context of the published literature. You will critically appraise published literature to identify knowledge gaps and comprehend the findings reported within the systematic reviews and meta-analyses reports, completing a literature review assignment and creating your own short grant application to solve a clinical problem. This thought-provoking and authentic assignment will develop critical and conceptual thinking as well as problem-solving skills. The "News and Views" presentation will also facilitate research inquiry to evaluate the latest break-through technologies and critical thinking to identify strengths and limitations of the research conducted that led to discovery.
You will develop the ability to follow a line of scientific inquiry from hypothesis to clinical application through addressing a scientific hypothesis, developing experimental plan, conducting laboratory experiments, analysing and interpreting datasets, reporting the findings and describing the impact of your discovery on patient care.
Graduate Attribute 3 – Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
This subject will equip you with the fundamental skills required for pursuing a research degree or jobs in academia, industry, clinical practice or government. It might even lead to the development of an innovative idea that could be translated into a start-up. The skills that will be gained include but are not limited to conceptual thinking and laboratory, analytical and numerical skills. These graduate attributes will be developed as part of all assessment tasks.
Research skills including laboratory skills, critically appraising the literature, evaluating and appropriately using relevant information from a variety of sources (including databases, scientific literature, websites, and textbooks), data analysis and interpretation, and reporting of the findings will be developed and practised during participation in the practicals and workshop series and completion of the assessments.
Time management, organisational and prioritisation skills will be developed through attending the tutorials/workshops on time, meeting the deadlines, preparing for the tutorials/workshops, managing time effectively during the tutorials/workshops and completing the assignments. Late submission of the assessments will incur a 5% reduction in the mark per day.
Interpersonal skills important for working within a team will be developed as part of the workshops, active participation in the workshops, assessment 3 and working through creative and suitable methods to address a clinical problem.
Ethics and professional conduct in science will be learned and practiced through practicals, workshops and inquiry-orientated learning. You will learn how to describe and manage ethical consideration in addressing clinical questions, evaluate and translate findings to patient care.
Comprehension of the suitability and application of the latest cutting-edge technologies in research to improve the management and treatment of human diseases will be obtained through practicals, online courses and workshops.
Understanding of clinical translation of research discoveries from the laboratory to the clinic will also be developed. News and Views presentation and associated workshops will teach you how to describe scientific concepts to the public and lay audience in order to keep the public informed on the latest and the most important medical discoveries by being socially responsible.
Graduate Attribute 4 – Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
You will develop skills in designing exploratory research strategies based on selection of suitable methodologies to address a clinical question, interpret results and communicate your findings. The mini-project that will be conducted in the HIVE as part of the assessment 2, will provide opportunities for reflection on the results obtained and interpretation of these in the context of the literature. In the assessment 3, you will use your critical, conceptual and creative thinking to appraise the literature, identify gaps in the knowledge and propose experimental plan to address these gaps and unmet clinical needs. You will practice creativity in proposing to address a clinical need through research.
The ability to make effective judgements about one’s own work will be developed during workshops and peer evaluations of the “News and views” assignment on the most prominent discovery in biotechnology field. You will use your creativity to report on the selected innovation to the general public/lay audience as part of an oral presentation. Peer marking will also be employed as part of the Assessment 2&3 as these will be group-based activities.
The ability to act on constructive feedback received during the workshops and assessments will also be developed. For example, in assessment 3, you will receive a formative feedback half-way through the semester which will give you the opportunity to improve your report by acting on the feedback provided.
Graduate Attribute 5 - Communication Skills
Consolidation and further development of effective oral and written communication skills in reporting scientific findings to both scientific and general public will be enabled through active participation in the practicals & workshop tasks as well as in producing assessment tasks 1&2&3. Communication skills will also be utilised and improved during interactive lectures, workshops and group work.
Teaching and learning strategies
This Medical Biotechnology subject will be delivered using a combination of pre-reading material, practicals (group mini-project), workshops, self-directed learning and assessments. Students should make the most out of the pre-reading material to be able to participate during practicals and workshops in order to develop knowledge and understanding of methodologies being used and medical biotechnology. They will also have an opportunity to be creative and apply or develop the knowledge gained to a real case scenario.
Workshops: In-person (2h) x 11
Pre-workshop material will be provided online through Canvas and will introduce students to concepts applied face-to-face in workshops. Workshops will guide you through actvities directly related to your assessments, therefore, attendance is strongly encouraged. You will work collaboratively in a group to complete tasks using creative and conceptual thinking whilst working as part of a team.
Practicals: HIVE Superlab (3h) x 9
Practicals will take place every week for 3 hours in the HIVE. You will plan, conduct and record experiments as a group, striving to complete a research-style project together.
Assessments:
The assessments will be developed over a number of weeks through laboratory-based work, inquiry-based learning, critical literature appraisal and application of learnt concepts. These assessments will empower you to think creatively and solve a clinical problem, apply findings or address knowledge gap. The findings will be communicated through oral and written scientific reports suitable for a range of audiences.
Feedback will be provided verbally during workshops from both peers and facilitators. Written feedback will also be provided in relation to the assessments submitted.
Content (topics)
Cell-based models of disease: During your laboratory mini-project in the HIVE, you will develop cell culture-based laboratory techniques and comprehend how in vitro experimental design is applied for pre-clinical testing of therapeutics. There will be a range of projects to choose from related to different diseases and therapeutics being tests on relevant cells. A group of 6 students will work on one project, contributing to experimental design, conducting experiments and generating experimental data over a period of 10 weeks. Whilst the work will be conducted as a group and data analysis and interpretation can also be performed within the group, every student will be required to submit their own research paper based on the shared results.
Scientific Data Analysis and Interpretation: This module will discuss how to draw information from published literature with particular emphasis on critical literature review and interpreting the results of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in the medical biotechnology field. Data related to cell culture experiements will also be generated during the HIVE project or provided to you, and through a series of workshops you will learn how to analyse and interpret different cell-based data sets including functional assays and gene expression. Students will be provided with online learning tools on how to use various softwares to analyse experimental data and interpret the findings. The appropriateness of different statistical tests will provide in-depth understanding on their application for different types of datasets.
Communicating medical discoveries: During the workshop, online videos and podcast, you will comprehend how to present complex scientific information to lay audience. This is an important aspect of scientific communication and using appropriate language to report on breakthrough findings in the medical biotechnology field is key for disseminating information widely. As part of the Assessment 1, your will be able to choose from a range of topics related to a number of breakthrough discoveries in medical biotechnology and present "News and Views" on this topic. You will learn how to apply the most appropriate language to convey a scientific message to public, make your presentation engaging and illustrate in your own way a discovery in medical biotechnology that has made an impact.
Utilising technologies for medical discoveries: Online material will be provided on the use of “Omics” for biomarker and drug discovery, human microbiome and imaging tools for self-directed learning to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the research tools employed in medical biotechnology. Examples of successful applications of these methodologies to address a range of clinical needs will also be described, from a molecule to patient. During a series of workshops, you will evaluate the suitability of these cutting-edge technologies and decide on the most appropriate approach to address a clinical problem. Regenerative medicine will also be discussed and the main focus will be on the treatment, development and clinical utilisation of stem cell-based therapies. We will evaluate the timeline from discovery to clinical application of cell-based therapies considering all steps in the process but also what is required, in terms of development, for other stem-cell based technologies, particularly iPSCs, to get to the clinic. Ethical issues, advantages and disadvantages will also be analysed.
Experimental Design: Once you have developed substantial understanding of various experimental approaches and technologies used for medical discoveries, you will learn about how to design your experiments to address a medical biotechnology research question. You will build on the knowledge and comprehension related to data analysis and interpretation, and critial literature review that will enable you to choose the most appropriate applications of various technologies for your experimental design. Workshop on "Creating experimental design and methodology" and 'In vitro versus in vivo experiments" will provide understanding on choosing the best approach to develop research project to address unmet clinical need. It will also outline scenarios for utilising in vitro and in vivo experiments during the development process of a medical biotechnology. This will enable you to write your own grant proposal and design appropriate experiments to address an area of unmet clinical need based on the gaps in the knowledge identified through critically appraising published literature. This will be a group task and you will be able to bounce ideas with your peers and work within the team, similarly to the real medical biotechnology research environment.
Application and translation of medical biotechnology: Commercialisation of a discovery is a challenging path. However it is more important than ever for researchers to translate their findings into clinical or industrial use therefore making an impact on society and industry all the while advancing the knowledge. The focus here would be to consider a scenario of working collaboratively with big pharma on the development of a test or treatment. What needs to be in place for this to happen? Translation of medical breakthrough into digital healthcare technologies will also be discussed. Recent global interest and advancement in digital technology has been particularly beneficial for the healthcare sector. Remote or home monitoring of the patients has the potential to reduce the stress on the patient, the healthcare cost associated with increasing number of patients managed by the healthcare professionals and the well-being of the society in general.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: News and views on a latest break-through discovery in medical biotechnology
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 5, 7, 8 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 3 min presentation |
| Criteria: | The students will be assessed on the following criteria: 1) Comprehension of the appropriateness of the design and findings reported in the scientific papers; 2) Data interpretation and significance; 3) Communication skills and the use of appropriate language to report to the general public; 4) Time management skills. |
Assessment task 2: Research paper
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 10, 2, 4, 5 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 3,000 words |
| Criteria: | Each section in the report will be assessed. The critical appraisal of the background literature and conceptual thinking leading into the development of hypothesis for the study will be evaluated. The methodology description, logical order of presenting the findings with appropriate referencing to already published literature as well as graphical presentation of the results, reporting and interpretation of the results will be assessed. The application of the findings to appropriate medical field and future work will also be assessed. The standard of written English and communication will also be taken into consideration. Peer marking will constitute 10% of the mark. |
Assessment task 3: Grant proposal to address unmet clinical need
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 3,000 words including references |
| Criteria: | Online quizzes: Individual (10%) Two individually assessed online quizzes (5% each) will be used to assess understanding of experimental design and grant proposals. Grant proposal: Group (30%) The following criteria will be used for the assessment and grading: 1) The choice and understanding of the relevance and application of the literature included; 2) Systematic and critical evaluation of the methods used and findings reported; 3) Accurate application of technologies to evaluate or lead to discovery; 4) Identifying important knowledge gaps relevant to unmet clinical needs; 5) Synthesising suitable methods to propose a way of addressing this gap in the knowledge; 6) Significance and medical applicability of the proposed discovery project. Peer marking will account for 10% of the mark and the group mark is 90% of the mark. |
Minimum requirements
There are several learning enhancement activities embedded within this subject, including online material, pre-reading material, quizzes, formatively assessed group work in the workshops. The workshops are an important and integral part of your learning in this subject and you are strongly encouraged to attend to facilitate your learning. If you cannot attend a scheduled practical class, please contact your subject coordinator as soon as possible to discuss your situation.