- Toxicology is the study of how natural or man-made poisons cause undesirable effects in living organisms. The Toxicology and Biochemical Analysis module has been developed to give students the basic principles of toxicology. Briefly, Toxicology studies the body’s response to drugs, foods, and toxic substances. Fundamentals of pharmacology and mechanisms of action are examined for acute and chronic exposure derived from environmental, dietary, occupational, and pharmaceutical sources. Emphasis is placed on information literacy to support problem-based and evidence-based learning. The primary goal of the Toxicology and Biochemical Analysis module is to develop an understanding of how the body’s biochemical and physiological mechanisms operate to manage the exposure to toxins, poisons, and drugs.
Techniques for plant transformation
The aim of this module is to provide an integrated background in immunology. In this module students will gain a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the cells, molecules and functions of the immune system, including the humoral system and cellular immunity, innate immunity and cell-mediated immunity, host-antigen relationships. Students will learn about the role of the immune system in diseases such as autoimmune disorders and allergy.
Welcome and Brief description of module
Dear Students,
Welcome to the Animal and Plant Biotechnology Module. The major gaol of this module is to introduce to you the principle and the application of the recombinant DNA technology to animal and plants. The Module is splint into two related, but standalone components; Animal Biotechnology and Plant Biotechnology.
In the Plant Biotechnology component, we will look at techniques for plant transformation and our discussion will be focused on Binary vectors for plant transformation; The genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance; The genetic manipulation of pest resistance; Plant diseases resistance; Strategies for engineering stress tolerance; The improvement of crop yield and quality.
The Animal Biotechnology component will give you: Brief overview on biotechnology in general and animal biotechnology in particular, Introduction of Novel Genes, Directed genetic manipulation, Propagation by nuclear transfer, Technical issues with germline modification, Concerns related to germline technology, Issues related to somatic cell nuclear transfer technology, Biopharmaceutical production and finally a discussion on Xenotransplantation.
Module Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Get acquainted with the use of molecular techniques to introduce useful traits in animals that results in economic gains and improvement of livelihood of humanity;
- Get a hand on skills in recombinant DNA;
- Explore the creation of the transgenic plants for potential use to resist to herbicides and tolerate the stress;
- Relate Plant Biotechnological innovations with GMO commercialization.
Module Indicative Contents
Animal Biotechnology component
- Brief overview on biotechnology
- Introduction of Novel Genes
- Directed genetic manipulation
- Propagation by nuclear transfer
- Technical issues with germline modification
- Concerns related to germline technology
- Issues related to somatic cell nuclear transfer technology
- Biopharmaceutical production
- Xenotransplantation.
Plant Biotechnology component
- Techniques for plant transformation
- Binary vectors for plant transformation
- The genetic manipulation of herbicide resistance
- The genetic manipulation of pest resistance
- Plant diseases resistance
- Strategies for engineering stress tolerance
- The improvement of crop yield and quality
Form of final/summative assessment
- Online quizzes: 10%
- Practical: 20%
- Online assignment :20%
- Final Examination: 50%
Module Teaching Team
Dr. Joseph Nsengimana, Animal Biotechnology; Tel: +250 785 122 932; Email: josephnsenga01@gmail.com; SMS, WhatApp, etc
Dr. Jean-Pierre Munyampundu, Plant Biotechnology; Tel: +250 784283838; Email: j.munyampundu@ur.ac.rw/ mpundupeter@hotmail.com
This module is designed to allow students to enhance their knowledge in heterocyclic chemistry and drug synthesis which has its origins in the study of natural products. The module will outline the role of heterocycles in organic, pharmaceutical, and biochemistry and explain the methods for chemical synthesis, elaboration and use.
Students will understand the importance of heterocycles in biological systems and in pharmaceuticals. They
will be able to draw mechanisms for reactions involving heterocycles as starting materials, intermediates and
products, and be able to propose syntheses of heterocycles from the major classes. Students will be able to
relate significant chemical properties to the structure.
The aim of this module is to provide an integrated background in immunology and immunogenetics, the study of the interrelation between immunity to disease and genetic makeup. Students will study the organs and cells of the immunological system and mechanisms involved in the functioning of the immune system, including the humoral system and cellular immunity, host-antigen relationships, and immunological reactions or infections. The course will cover methods of study in immunology and immunogenetics, particularly the development of B and T cells.
Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. mechanisms of humoral and cellular immunity
2. specific immune responses
3. B lymphocytes and antibody formation
4. cell-mediated immunity and T- cell physiology and antigen presenting cells
5. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the reactions of antigen-antibody
6. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of MHC and HLA molecules, the polygenism and polymorphism of HLA genes
7. demonstrate knowledge of the Ig genetics and the genetic of T cell receptors
8. the molecular basis of immunological mechanisms as well as the biotechnological applications
9. the relationship between immune response and genetics
The course is about taxonomy of flowering plants with a special focus on tropical plants in general and local flora of Rwanda in particular. A special emphasis is put on useful plants such as medicinal, aromatic, edible, cosmetic and ornamental plants. The classification adopted is the one developed by Angiosperms Phylogeny Group (APG IV) that recognises the following clades:
- Archaic Dicots composed of paleoherbs (Amborellales, Nympaheales, Austrobaileyales) and paleotrees (Magnoliids)
- Monocots that are composed of Commliniids and udefined evolved monocots (From Asparagales to Alismatales)
- Eudicots composed of Rosids (Fabids and Malvids) that are less evolved and Asterids (Campanulids and Lamiids) that are the most evolved clades
It is important to note that some Eudicots orders are still unclassified. They are mostly found in the clade of Asterids (Santales, Ericales, Caryophyllales and Cornales)
The module aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge on first how genetics defines ‘yourself’ to your immune system, second it provides to students how genetic mechanisms such as recombination and point mutation create diversity and specificity of immune effector molecules, and lastly, the module allows an understanding of how genetic variation in certain genes of the immune system can influence susceptibility or resistance to both autoimmune and infectious disease; and how genetics can inform clinical therapies for such disease conditions.
Systematic is the branch of Biology that studies the diversity of life in an evolutionary context; encompasses taxonomy and is involved in reconstructing of phylogenetic history. (Phylon “tribe” genesis “origin”)
- The study of biological diversity
- It encompasses taxonomy (structured naming using binomial latine terminology)
- Classification of living organisms by evolutionary relationships
Interaction between organisms and their environment over geologic time has brought biological changes on at t extend of global proportions.
The modules deals with only animals and follows their evolutionary divergences to set up main taxonomic groups from very simple diploblastic to complex triploblatic coelomates in their whole diversity.
This module aims to help students understand the process of research. It starts by defining research methodology and ethical concerns in research. This will be followed by going through all the steps for conducting research: Formulation of research questions, and hypothesis, defining what one wishes to investigate, gathering the data, analysis of data, interpreting data, testing and revising of hypothesis, and concluding the research.
The aim of this moduleis to provide to students the insights into the application of animal tissue culture. It involves correlation with practical course where possible and study tour to ensure full understanding of the techniques used in tissue culture and help the students to understand how to develop micro-environment and which factors will affect tissue culture, media formulations, cell lines and different applications of tissue culture
COURSE CONTENTS
BIO2265-Animal and Plant Tissue Culture
1.Introduction on tissue culture
Definition and Historical Background
Advantages and limitations.
Characteristic features of Cell culture
Culture medium formulation
2.Tissue Culture Methodology.
Equipment used in tissue culture
Types of cultures
3.Cell lines characterization
Cross contamination hazards.
Characteristics of cells in culture.
Growth studies: cell proliferation, cell cycle, mitosis in growing cells.
4.Applications of tissue culture:
Tissue culture as a screening system;
Cytotoxicity and diagnostic tests.
Development and preparation of vaccines against infecting organisms.
The aim of this course is to provide to students the insights into the application of animal and plant tissue culture. It involves correlation with practical course to ensure full understanding of the techniques used in tissue culture and help the students to understand how to develop micro-environment and which factors will affect tissue culture, media formulations, cell lines and different applications of tissue culture.
Indicative Content:
Plant tissue culture
1.Introduction ( History).
2. Preparation and composition of nutrient media.
3.Care of Plant material .
4.Isolation, inoculation and subculturing.
5.Transfer from nutrient medium to soil .
6.Embryon culture .
7.Production of disease free plants.
8.Vegetative propagation.
9.Somaclonal variation.
Animal Tissue Culture
- Origin and principles of cell culture
- In vitro animal tissue culture
- Culture medium formulation, Mammalian cell culture; Stem cell culture, Qualitative characteristics of cell cultures, cell counting and analysis, Primary cell culture techniques, Subculture and Development of immortalized cell line, Detection of microbial contaminants
- Advantages and limitations of animal tissue culture
- Cryopreservation and Cell banking. Applications of tissue culture