NBIK26004U Experimental Approaches in Cell Biology and Biomedical Research

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry

MSc Programme in Biology

MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine

Content

The exercises are divided into different cell biology topics and include selected experimental techniques applied to different cellular systems, typically mammalian or vertebrate in vitro systems and in vivo model systems widely used in molecular cell biology and biomedical research. The course includes 2–4 different exercises, each involving experimental work combined with a short theoretical introduction and discussion. The course includes 2-4 different exercises, each involving experimental work combined with theoretical introduction and discussion.

 

During the exercises, students will be introduced to commonly used experimental approaches in modern cell biology and explore how these methods are used to address fundamental biological questions, including cellular mechanisms and disease-related processes. The course will also illustrate how such experimental approaches contribute to the discovery of new biological functions and potential targets for drug development.

 

The experimental work is complemented by discussion of experimental design, methodological principles, and interpretation of data in relation to primary research literature. Through this combination of laboratory work, theory and discussion, students will gain insight into how experimental strategies are used to generate and interpret data within the context of modern cell biology research.

 

The course is particularly suitable for students interested in experimental approaches in molecular and cellular biology and in understanding the methods used to investigate biological mechanisms, including students considering careers in biomedical or biotechnological research.

Learning Outcome

The student will obtain a broad understanding of key concepts in practical cell biology through laboratory exercises, reading of research articles, discussions and presentations.

 

Knowledge:

The student will obtain knowledge about how to experimentally address specific biological problems related to cellular mechanisms and how to interpret experimental data in relation to the existing literature.

 

Skills:

These include work with cultured cells and tissues from in vivo model systems, experimental perturbation of cellular signaling pathways, imaging-based analysis of cellular processes, including confocal microscopy, and molecular and biochemical approaches to analyze protein activity and cellular responses. Students will also gain experience in the quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data.

 

Competences:

The student will obtain practical competences in laboratory work and in critically reading primary research papers. These competences will be developed through laboratory exercises, reading of research articles, discussions, and presentations.

See Absalon.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended.
Introduction to the theoretical background combined with practical classes, including discussion of experimental design, methods, interpretation of results, and relevant research literature, as well as student presentations and discussions.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Class Instruction
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 96
  • Theory exercises
  • 45
  • Practical exercises
  • 45
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Type of assessment details
The evaluation is based on the students' performance in the exercises, including participation in discussions and presentations.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Oral exam (20 min). No preparation time. All aids allowed.

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.