Assays are used to diagnose disease and also to research their causes and cures. This course is designed to introduce a variety of assays in common use, together with their strengths and limitations. This is a hands-on introduction to basic laboratory skills and assumes no prior experience.
The course will introduce the concept of how assays are used to measure the concentrations, amounts or estimate the size of different substances. Students will experience a series of practical laboratory-based activities and will be expected to complete experiments to generate their own data. These experiments include colour-metric 96-well plate based screening techniques such as ELISA’s and Bradford assays, and students will also run both SDS-PAGE and DNA gels.
Students will be trained to use modern laboratory equipment safely and accurately, and how important it is to be consistent with physical manipulations of laboratory samples. Students will also be introduced to the concept of a laboratory notebook and how important it is to keep accurate notes.
Student results will be recorded in a supplied work-book and compared across the class in the form of class discussion exercises. As the main teaching aims of the course are of a practical and conceptual nature, there will be no statistical analysis, although the need for statistics will be discussed.
All students will be given a student workbook which they will be expected to complete in class on a daily basis.
Learning outcomes
- Health and safety considerations of laboratory work;
- How to use standard laboratory equipment;
- The need for accuracy and consistency.
