2024
Experimental Models in Biomedicine
Name: Experimental Models in Biomedicine
Code: CMS14314L
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Biomedical Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Presentation
Study of experimental models used in biomedicine, their advantages and limitations; and legislation regulating the use of experimental animals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Based on the rule of 3 Rs, the objectives of this UC are structured around the deepening of knowledge regarding each of them:
-Replacement: what alternative models to animals can be used in biomedicine?
-Reduction: in need of using animals, how to reduce their number?
-Refinement: how to reduce the degree of severity and pain inflicted on animals in experimentation? In the end, the student should be able to, within the scope of biomedical research:
- Recognize the importance of using experimental models;
- Identify different types of experimental models;
- List advantages and disadvantages in using different experimental models;
- Make informed decisions regarding the choice of a particular model based on the specific objective of each research project and taking into account current legislation;
- Develop a study design proposing an experimental model, based on a scientific research question.
-Replacement: what alternative models to animals can be used in biomedicine?
-Reduction: in need of using animals, how to reduce their number?
-Refinement: how to reduce the degree of severity and pain inflicted on animals in experimentation? In the end, the student should be able to, within the scope of biomedical research:
- Recognize the importance of using experimental models;
- Identify different types of experimental models;
- List advantages and disadvantages in using different experimental models;
- Make informed decisions regarding the choice of a particular model based on the specific objective of each research project and taking into account current legislation;
- Develop a study design proposing an experimental model, based on a scientific research question.
Contents
- Experimental models in biomedical sciences - advantages and limitations.
- The rule of 3Rs in the use of biological models in biomedicine - scope.
- Replacement - alternative models to animals - Models "in silico"; in vitro models; cell models (cell lines; organoids; xenotransplants); "ex vivo" models.
- Reduction - strategies to reduce the number of animals in experimentation - bibliographic research; relevance of the publication of results; criteria for choosing a particular experimental animal model; experimental design; statistical analysis. Some examples.
- Refinement - the object of laboratory animal science; relevance of improving housing conditions for animals; anaesthesia and analgesia in experimentation; definition of experimental end points.
- Legislation regulating the use of experimental animals.
- The rule of 3Rs in the use of biological models in biomedicine - scope.
- Replacement - alternative models to animals - Models "in silico"; in vitro models; cell models (cell lines; organoids; xenotransplants); "ex vivo" models.
- Reduction - strategies to reduce the number of animals in experimentation - bibliographic research; relevance of the publication of results; criteria for choosing a particular experimental animal model; experimental design; statistical analysis. Some examples.
- Refinement - the object of laboratory animal science; relevance of improving housing conditions for animals; anaesthesia and analgesia in experimentation; definition of experimental end points.
- Legislation regulating the use of experimental animals.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical exposition (T-12h); Seminars developed as debate sessions on certain programmatic points (S-4h); Elaboration, in group, of a work presenting a study design with the proposal of an experimental model, based on a biomedical research question (TP-12h).
Continuous evaluation:
The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the marks obtained in the continuous assessment of participation in seminars (20%), written work (40%) and oral presentation (20%) and in the final written exam (20 %).
Assessment by Exam:
The evaluation by exam will consist of a written test to be carried out during the exam period foreseen in the school calendar and will cover all the subjects taught. The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the grades obtained in the written exam (40%) and the grade obtained by continuous assessment in the theoretical-practical component, corresponding to the written work (40%) and its presentation (20%).
Continuous evaluation:
The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the marks obtained in the continuous assessment of participation in seminars (20%), written work (40%) and oral presentation (20%) and in the final written exam (20 %).
Assessment by Exam:
The evaluation by exam will consist of a written test to be carried out during the exam period foreseen in the school calendar and will cover all the subjects taught. The final grade will be calculated taking into account the weighted average of the grades obtained in the written exam (40%) and the grade obtained by continuous assessment in the theoretical-practical component, corresponding to the written work (40%) and its presentation (20%).
Teaching Staff (2023/2024 )
