Experimental Models in Biomedicine PDF 2024-2025

Experimental Models in Biomedicine 3 ECTS Master’s Degree in Biomedicine University of Barcelona Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Campus Clínic). Coordinator: Judit Castillo juditc...

Experimental Models in Biomedicine 3 ECTS Master’s Degree in Biomedicine University of Barcelona Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Campus Clínic). Coordinator: Judit Castillo [email protected] Campus Virtual: Main resource for communication and lectures Announcements and notes Forum Teaching plan Files of the course Complementary learning resources Lectures  Course calendar: 2024 Time Activity Lecturer Sept 25 9-9.30 General introduction to the Master’s in Biomedicine Neus Agell 9.30-10 Introduction to the experimental models in biomedicine course Judit Castillo 10-11 From prokaryotic to eukaryotic experimental models Sept 26 9-10 Zebrafish as a model system in Biomedicine Francesc Piferrer 10-11 Discussion – Zebrafish as a model system in Biomedicine Sept 27 9-10 Drosophila as a model system in Biomedicine Marta Morey 10-11 Discussion - Drosophila as a model system in Biomedicine Sept 30 9-10 Planarians as a model system in Biomedicine Cristina Gonzalez 10-11 Discussion – Planarians as a model system in Biomedicine Oct 1 9-10 Laboratory animal science Josep M. Marimon 10-11 Discussion – Laboratory animal science Oct 2 9-11 Tutorial in groups Judit Castillo Oct 3 9-10 Experimental models in cancer research Neus Agell 10-11 Discussion – Experimental models in cancer research Oct 4 9-10 Ion channels as experimental model to study pain Gerard Callejo 10-11 Discussion – Ion channels as experimental model to study pain Oct 7 9-10 Experimental models in reproductive biomedicine Rafael Oliva 10-11 Discussion – Experimental models in reproductive biomedicine Oct 8 9-10 Experimental models of metabolic diseases Marion Peyrou 10-11 Discussion – Experimental models in cancer research Oct 9 9-10 The embryo as a model system in Biomedicine Alfons Navarro 10-11 Discussion – The embryo as a model system in Biomedicine Oct 10 9-11 Student presentations and discussion (n=5) Judit Castillo Oct 11 9-11 Student presentations and discussion (n=5) Judit Castillo Oct 14 9-11 Student presentations and discussion (n=5) Judit Castillo Oct 15 9-11 Final exam Rafael Oliva/ Judit Castillo Discussion sessions: - 50 min discussion session after the seminar given by the expert in the field. - Based on the comments and questions made by the students. Student participation will be scored!! 15% of the final course grade Scoring criteria: 1. Number of questions made during the whole course (10%) No questions: 0% 1 question: 5% 2 or more questions: 10% 2. Quality and interest of the question (decided by the lecturer) (5%) - Please allow other students to participate - Questions should be made also during the student presentation sessions  Team work: “Applying experimental models to study a human disease” 35% of the final course grade Choose a specific human disease or condition and look for the experimental model or combination of models you would use to study it, indicating the reasons, advantages and disadvantages. Group members and topic Groups of 4-5 students should be communicated by Source: Recent scientific publications 2022-2024 September 30. PowerPoint presentation should contain: Ppt file should be delivered - Introduction of the human disease or condition by October 8. - Aim of the investigation. - Experimental model or combination of models to be applied to reach the aim of the research. Advantages and characteristics supporting the selection. - Main results obtained with the selected experimental model or combination of models. - Limitations of the design, potential next steps for the research. Talks of 10 minutes, plus 5-10 min for discussion by the classmates. Score based on PowerPoint content, presentation fluency, discussion and timing control (details on Campus Virtual). Same score for all group members. Final exam: 50% of the final course grade - 35-45 questions - Multiple choice - 1 correct answer (- 0,25 points for each wrong answer) - Questions about ALL lectures content Evaluation: Participation in the discussion sessions 15% Questions (10%) Qualitative evaluation (5%) Team work 35% Final exam 50% …starting with some definitions: Experimental models in biomedicine Biomedical research: The area of science devoted to the study of the processes of life; prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of a disease; and the genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors related to disease and health Types of biomedical research: 1. Basic 2. Applied 3. Clinical 1- Basic (or fundamental) biomedical research Research conducted to increase fundamental knowledge and understanding of the physical, chemical and functional mechanism of life processes and disease. Not directed toward solving any particular problem in humans or animals. Provides building blocks upon which other types of research are based. If we don’t know how a life process functions normally, we won’t know how to recognize and treat it when it functions abnormally 1- Basic (or fundamental) biomedical research 2- Applied (or translational) biomedical research Directed toward specific objectives – for example, development of new drug, treatment, or surgical procedure. It involves the application of existing knowledge, much of which is obtained through basic research, to solve a specific biomedical problem. 3- Clinical biomedical research Used to test potential drugs, diagnosis test and treatments in humans. Broad variety of activities and areas of study a. Human clinical trials b. Psychosocial and behavioral research c. Disease control research Used when other forms of research have taken place. Builds on what is done in basic and applied stage. …starting with some definitions: Experimental models in biomedicine A non-human system used in research to understand a biological process or human disease What are the reasons to develop experimental models of human diseases? Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies Strengths– increase the speed and efficiency with which data can be studied and processed (may reduce the number of animals required for research) Limitations– cannot replace laboratory testing. Computers do not “generate” data, they only “process” what has been entered. Rely on existing data. Sophisticated computer equipment and software are sometimes prohibitively expensive Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies Strengths– Allow scientists to study a single effect of a substance in isolation without the interference from other biological phenomena such as hormones, enzymes, & immune responses. Can be less expensive, require less time, and be more accurate & readily controlled than in vivo. Yield more precise results. Limitations– Cells grown in a culture are not exposed to other functions taking place in a living organism (ex: no pumping of blood & interstitial fluid, etc.) Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies Strengths– provide an ethical alternative to the use of humans in experimental studies. Animals and other organisms provide a whole, integrated complex biological system. Animals share the same structures (cells, tissues, organs, and systems) as humans and function in much the same way. Limitations– Research animals are expensive to purchase, house, feed and provide with veterinary care. Animals and other organisms are not identical to humans and the results must be extrapolated.  Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies No model organism can truly reiterate the human phenotype Zebra fish Mouse million years of evolution C. elegans 450 Non-human primates 75-100 700 5 Human Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies Strengths– Have actual human data Limitations– Ethical & moral considerations limit the extent to which human volunteers can used as test subjects for a potential new drug. Require extensive pre- clinical testing before they can be conducted. Numerous variables may affect the test data (genetic background, exposure to other chemicals, disease history, etc.) Types of experimental models 1.- Chemical, mechanical, mathematical, and computer simulations 2.- In vitro tests 3.- Non-Human organisms 4.- Human Studies > 4 million DNA sequence variants in each human genome!!!! The complexity is beyond the mere presence of differences in DNA sequence variants, because the DNA sequence variants in the same genes could lead to different phenotypic consequences in different individuals Experimental models Howard Skipper MD - cancer research pioneer. 6 min video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXKGjqKFohw 3 min video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljKZiaEn_BA 6 min video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj5QlYlE66w