Course memo Autumn 2023

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The course addresses clinical applications of biotechnology to screen, diagnose, and select treatments. Applications are exemplified within two major diseases: breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Examples of how targeted treatments have been developed with the help of biotechnology are included.

Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2023

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course in Clinical Applications of Biotechnology provides an orientation on biotechnological methods and measurements used in healthcare. The course provides both theoretical background and practical application of analytical methods. The course includes basic knowledge of molecular disease mechanisms, biomarkers, molecular biology tools and methods. New developments with the potential to be integrated in a clinical context are highlighted. The course includes ethics and sustainability.

Intended learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After passing the course the student must be able to:

Describe basic concepts regarding the main parts of the course.
In text, explain basic principles for biotechnological methods and measurements of biological samples.
Give examples of clinical applications of biotechnology.

Skills and abilities

After passing the course the student must be able to:

Relate biotechnological applications with underlying molecular disease mechanisms.
Be able to apply diagnostic measurements and report results in writing and orally.

Values and approaches

After passing the course the student must be able to:

Suggest biotechnological applications for clinical use and explain their benefits and disadvantages.
Reflect on the clinical use of biotechnology from an ethical, economic, ecological, and social perspective.

Learning activities

Lectures: 14, on-site

Reading assignments: Scientific articles, textbook

Scientific quizzes: Relating to the scientific articles.

LAB 1: Microfluidics One-day lab/demonstration (approx. 6 hours)

Workshop: Lecture on qPCR technique and primer design assignment (3-hour session)

DEBATE - PRESENTATION SOCIETAL IMPACT: Ethics - Biotechnology in Health Care

Detailed plan

LECTURES & EXAMS OUTLINE

(up-to-date schedule and classrooms at KTH.se)

Lecture	Date	Topic	Teacher
1	29/8	Overview, Breast cancer intro	Cecilia Williams
2	30/8	Breast cancer clinical applications I	Cecilia Williams
3	31/8	Breast cancer clinical applications II	Cecilia Williams
4	5/9	Microfluidics I: Introductions	Aman Russom
5	6/9	Clinic: Breast cancer imaging	Fredrik Strand, KI/KS
6	7/9	Industry: Automated pathology, AI	Lars Björk, KI, industry
7	11/9	Microfluidics II: Physics microscale	Aman Russom
8	14/9	Ethics: Biotechnology in health care	Cristina Al-Khalili
9	18/9	Breast cancer clinical applications III	Cecilia Williams
10	19/9	Breast cancer clinical applications IV	Cecilia Williams
	25/9	MIDTERM EXAM
11	26/9	Microfluidics III: Clinical applications	Aman Russom
12	28/9	Cardiovascular, hemostatic diseases I	Jacob Odeberg
13	2/10	Cardiovascular, hemostatic diseases II	Jacob Odeberg
14	4/10	Microfluidics IV: Liquid biopsy	Aman Russom
	10/10	Preparation for exam	Cecilia Williams
	19/10	FINAL EXAM

LAB, WORKSHOP, and DEBATE SCHEDULE

Compulsory attendance LAB1 (one occasion), Workshop, and DEBATE (one occasion); see Canvas for groups.

LAB GROUP	LAB1	WORKSHOP	DEBATE
5	15/9 (13-19)	8/9 (8-11)	2/10 (15-18)
6	22/9 (13-19)	8/9 (8-11)	4/10 (13-16)
7	25/9 (13-19)	8/9 (8-11)	5/10 (13-16)
8	29/9 (13-19)	8/9 (8-11)	6/10 (13-16)

Course Objectives

To pass the course, you must be able to [examined by]:

Describe the use of biological samples for the purpose of diagnosing health conditions and explaining their advantages and disadvantages [TEN1/LAB1]
Describe different types of biomarkers and their occurrence and relation to diseases and treatments. [TEN1/LAB1]
Explain biotechnological methods, technologies, and measurements used clinically to identify and quantify different types of biomarkers [TEN1/LAB1]
Explain and evaluate the biotechnological applications used for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer and cardiovascular and hemostatic diseases [TEN1/LAB2]
Independently interpret measurement of various biomarkers for diagnostic purposes and report results in writing and/or orally [LAB1/TEN1]
Explain the underlying molecular mechanisms that make different types of drug treatment effective [TEN1/LAB2]
Explain medical image analysis for screening and diagnostic purposes [TEN1]
Describe the development and use of 'Point-of-care' diagnostics [TEN1/LAB1]
Understand, and reflect on, the clinical use of biotechnology from an ethical, economic, ecological, and social perspective [TEN1/LAB1/SOC]
Reflect on and discuss ethical issues in the field. [SOC/TEN1]

Preparations before course start

Specific preparations

Kahoot may be used in some classes. When prompted, go to www.kahoot.it or download app in advance.

Before LAB1, read information provided in Canvas.

Literature

Medical Biotechnology, by Glick, Delowitch, and Patten, ASM Press, 2014 (e-book available through KTHB: via link)

Scientific articles (provided in Canvas)

Support for students with disabilities

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

Please inform the course coordinator if you have special needs not related to the written exam, and show your certificate from Funka.

Support measures under code R (i.e., adjustments related to space, time, and physical circumstances, e.g., longer writing time) are always granted.
Support measures under code P (pedagogical measures) may be granted or rejected by the examiner after you have applied for this in accordance with KTH rules.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

LAB1 - Laboratory work,, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
TEN1 - Written exam, 4.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:

Other requirements for examination:

Completion of Societal impact module: P/F (can generate up to 2 bonus points [to Part A])

Completion of workshop assignment: P/F (can generate up to 1 bonus point [to Part A])

Completion of 4 scientific quizzes: P/F (can generate up to 2 bonus points [to Part B])

Other requirements for final grade

There are elements with compulsory attendance.

Grading criteria/assessment criteria

For higher grades (A-D), deeper knowledge is required within the basic parts of the course and the student can, to varying degrees, interconnect, reason, and apply their knowledge to tackle increasingly complex biotechnological problems [TEN1].

The exam is in two parts:

Part A comprises 6 topics, and each needs to be passed (>75% ) for grade E. A Midterm Exam offers the possibility to examine topics 1-3.

Part B comprises 5 essay questions for higher grades (max points: 30 points + up to 2 bonus points)

Grading scheme (tentative, may be adjusted):

E Completed compulsory quizzes, laboratory work [LAB1], workshop, approved societal impact debate, and approved PART A [TEN1]

D also, explain in greater detail different clinical applications of biotechnology, with examples, examined in PART B [TEN1]

C also, explain in greater detail in several parts of the course, with examples and analysis of pros and cons examined in PART B [TEN1]

B in addition, theoretically apply advanced knowledge in all parts of the course to address biotechnological issues within the clinic, examined in PART B [TEN1]

A in addition, theoretically apply very advanced knowledge, in all parts of the course, to tackle particularly complicated biotechnological issues within the clinic, examined in PART B [TEN1]

Fx: at least 75% on 5 topics (out of 6 topics) PART A [TEN1]

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

If one topic is failed on Part A [TEN1], this generates the grade Fx. Fx can be supplementary examined through oral examination within 14 working days following the grading (if requested).

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

Contact examiner.

Alternatives to missed activities or tasks

As far as possible, students can change lab groups or debate sessions with each other (note, some activities are overlapping between groups). If so, the students should inform the course responsible.

For further questions, contact the course coordinator.

Reporting of exam results

The exam result will be shown in Canvas.

The final grade on the course will be reported through LADOK.

Ethical approach

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.