Introduction to Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology

Last Update 30/04/2025

About This Course

This hands-on laboratory course introduces students to fundamental experimental techniques, equipment, and methodologies used in Molecular Biology. Students will gain practical experience in designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. The course emphasizes safety, accuracy, and critical thinking in a laboratory setting.

Learning Objectives

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in using laboratory equipment and tools.

Design and execute experiments with proper controls and variables.

Analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical and computational tools.

Interpret results and draw valid conclusions.

Adhere to laboratory safety protocols and ethical guidelines.

Communicate scientific findings effectively through written reports and presentations.

Material Includes

Requirements

Target Audience

Medical students

Curriculum

1 Lesson40h

Introduction to Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology

Week 1: Introduction to Laboratory Safety and Equipment Lecture: Laboratory safety protocols, emergency procedures, and equipment overview. Lab: Familiarization with lab equipment (e.g., pipettes, microscopes, centrifuges). Week 2: Measurement and Data Collection Lecture: Units of measurement, precision, and accuracy. Lab: Practice measuring liquids, solids, and using analytical balances. Week 3: Basic Techniques in [Subject] Lecture: Overview of fundamental techniques (e.g., titration, PCR, spectroscopy). Lab: Hands-on practice with selected techniques. Week 4: Experiment Design and Controls Lecture: Hypothesis formulation, variables, and controls. Lab: Design a simple experiment with proper controls. Week 5-10: Thematic Experiments Each week focuses on a specific theme or technique: Week 5: [Technique/Experiment 1] (Example: DNA Extraction and Gel Electrophoresis) Week 6: [Technique/Experiment 2] (Example: Acid-Base Titration) Week 7: [Technique/Experiment 3] (Example: Spectrophotometry) Week 8: [Technique/Experiment 4] (Example: Bacterial Transformation) Week 9: [Technique/Experiment 5] (Example: Thin-Layer Chromatography) Week 10: [Technique/Experiment 6] (Example: Enzyme Kinetics) Week 11: Data Analysis and Interpretation Lecture: Introduction to statistical tools (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis). Lab: Analyze data from previous experiments using software (e.g., Excel, R, or Python). Week 12: Final Project Presentations Students present their findings from a mini-research project conducted during the course.