Biology Laboratory Techniques I
Code
10649
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
3.0
Teacher in charge
José Paulo Nunes de Sousa Sampaio, Rosario Mato Labajos
Weekly hours
3
Total hours
44
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The main goal of the course is focused in the linkage between student’s integration in a cell and molecular biology laboratory with the practice of basic methologies in use in this area.
This objective will be permanently accompanied by training in standard safety lab procedures (in prevention and accident) and by the theoretical and practical foundations of the scientific method and scientific writing, and of the basic lab work necessary for researh. In articulation with TLB II (7624), more centred on molecular biology, this course prepare for specific and more differentiated courses.
Prerequisites
There are no previous requirements
Subject matter
Module 1. Introduction to main equipment and chemical compounds in the laboratory. Safety procedures: prevention and accident. Hazards in a molecular cell biology laboratory. Measurement of weight and volume. Preparation of solutions. pH determination. Buffer solutions. Basic notions of spectrophotometry. Beer -Lambert Law. Calibration curves: applications on quantitative analyis.
Module 2. Introduction to Cell Culture Techniques. Asepsis. Culture media. Culture and isolation of microrganims. Physiological conditions. Lab culture and culture collections. Preservation of microrganisms.
Module 3. History and purpose of histology. Processing of histological samples: sample collection, fixation, inclusion in paraffins, microtomy, dyes and assembling agents. Safety and quality of histological processing. Main types of animal tissues and identification of fundamental structures in plants and unconventional animal models. Hematoxylin + Eosin and Toluidine Blue staining as background techniques in histology. Histological micrograph. Principles of histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and histopathology.
Module 4. Introduction to Microscopy. Historical Evoution. Techniques. Introduction to transmission bright-field microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy: optics, image formation, operative mode, micrometry. Comparison of different microcopy techniques.
Bibliography
Becker, W.M. et al. (2005). The World of the Cell (6thed.). Benjamin Cummings Publ. Co.
Anderson, C. (1995). Basic Experimental Chemistry. Kendall/Hunt Publ. Co.
Richwood, D. et al. (1997). Cell Biology Essential Techniques. Willey & Sons.
Teaching method
Any of the four modules of this course comprises theoretical and practical classes (1h / week) and laboratory practices (2.5 hours / week). The practical classes are expository nature, serving as a complement to the preparation and laboratory classes each week. Learning is complemented by questionnaires resolution in autonomy. The practical classes consist of laboratory sessions with practical work in groups.