To familiarize students with experimental approaches used in research laboratories in the fields of cell and molecular biology, imaging, and transgenesis. Particular emphasis will be placed on highlighting the advantages and limitations of the techniques presented, in order to stimulate the student’s critical thinking. The student should therefore be able, when faced with a given biological question, to design an experimental strategy to address it.
The student should be able to propose and critically evaluate technical and experimental approaches to investigate a given biological question.
The main objective of this course is to expose students to the wide range of modern techniques used in molecular and cellular biology laboratories (genetics, biochemistry, omics approaches, advanced bioimaging). More specifically, students will be encouraged to adopt a critical perspective on the advantages and limitations of these various techniques.
See table of content
1) Fluorescence: theoretical overview
2) Epifluorescence microscopy (widefield)
3) Confocal microscopy:
4) TIRF microscopy (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence), also known as evanescent field microscopy
5) How to increase resolution? → So-called “super-resolution” techniques:
6) How to increase acquisition speed without (too much) compromising resolution? (important for live-cell and 3D imaging):
The programme has been established in a consensual way between the 3 Professors in order to cover major and many experimental techniques, equipments and strategies used in modern biology. The course has been planned to give tools and keys to students in order to allow them to read and to understand scientific papers as well as to give them basic knowledge to plan a research project. Lectures supported by various pedagogical tools are accompanied by extra readings of scientific papers.
These papers are analyzed in a critical manner by the teachers.
The students have to take and pass an oral exam with every single Professor. Students have time (± 60 min) to prepare a question/professor in relation with their respective topics. 4 to 5 students start at the beginning of the day and then enter every 30 min. Professor will particularly put the accent on important concepts and will specially pay attention to the way of thinking, comprehension and reflection more than memory of details.
In the case of strong failure (note of 7 or lower) in one or several parts of this course, a note of 6/20 will appear on the deliberation sheet. Therefore the student will need to present in the second session the part(s) in which a failure was reported, keep the notes for the other parts of the courses acquired at the first session.
Slides and research articles derived from the literature (Webcampus).
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Biology | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Teaching focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Professional focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Research focus | Standard | 0 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Teaching focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Professional focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology, Research focus | Standard | 1 | 3 | |
| Master in Biology | Standard | 1 | 3 |