Innovative Cell Biology and Immunology

COURSE OBJECTIVE
• Acquire practical experience in techniques used for drug and substance safety testing
• Acquire theoretical knowledge about the newest biomedical as well as immunological techniques and model systems, how to address research questions and how to interpret experimental results
• Advance knowledge in use of animal versus in vitro human organoid models, including organ-on-chip to study human disease
• Learn to communicate findings in the form of small group activities and workshops

COURSE CONTENT
Biomedical Scientists are trained to develop novel therapies for patients for which, at the moment, no optimal therapy exists. Their
future career will involve identifying new drug targets and developing these further into novel drugs and therapies. In order to do this, the
biomedical scientist needs to learn about the 'toolbox' of models and methods which exist and which represent as much as possible the human healthy and disease (patho)physiology.

The main goal of this course is to introduce students to the current techniques used and also to introduce them to novel methods and models under development within academia and industry. This will include animal models, human organoid models and organ-on-chip models together with a multitude of analysis methods. Hands-on experience with several techniques will be included. The practical training is based around the theme of allergic contact dermatitis and includes immunohistochemistry on skin biopsies, chemical exposure of reconstructed human skin models and ELISA, as well as chemical exposure of dendritic cells and flow cytometry analysis.

The student will be introduced to interactive activities in the form of workshops and discussions. In addition, this course will advance the
immunological knowledge already obtained in bachelor courses. The course will prepare students for biomedical science internships and the master specialization Immunology.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures, experimental training (practical classes) and presentations

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Written exam with open questions (85%), experimental training (3 x 5%), discussion clubs (presence required)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Courses in Immunology and Cell Biology and Immunology