Biomedicine

The aim of the course is to provide the students with relevant veterinary competences and qualifications required in the broad field of biomedical research. This includes qualifications to manage a housing facility for experimental animals and to design, perform and evaluate laboratory animal experiments in biomedical research and assess pharmacology and toxicology in vivo. Moreover, it provides the students with a thorough knowledge of immunology, genetics and experimental pathology and histopathology centred on animal models of human diseases and the role of these subjects when applied in drug- and vaccine development. The course provides the student with knowledge on a broad range of animal models used in translational medicine including construction, use and shortcomings of the models.

Knowledge

After the course, the students are expected to be able to apply the relevant terminology to:

• Describe modern diagnostic methods and principles when using experimental animal models for research purposes
• Describe and summarize rules and regulations, principles, methods and terminology relevant for the planning, execution and evaluation of experimental animal research projects.
• Describe various animal models for human diseases as presented in the course
• Describe principles of housing, breeding and use of laboratory animals including how to avoid spontaneous infections (such as zoonoses) in an animal facility
• Describe basic procedures and practical methodologies in Laboratory Animal Science incl. experimental surgery
• Describe In vivo pharmacological methods and evaluation of drug effect and principles of regulatory toxicology testing
• Describe the principles of vaccine development and effects of use of vaccines. 
• Describe selected genetic technologies used in biomedical research
• Describe pathological and histopathological findings and hallmarks and elaborate on the underlying pathological processes and disease aetiology (when relevant).

Skills

After the course, the students are expected to be able to:

• Explain and assess strengths and weaknesses of commonly used laboratory methods biomedicine
• Evaluate the use of In vitro and In vivo methodology in research and drug development
• Explain basic ethical theories on use of animals in research and on animal welfare, including the 3 Rs
• Use basic statistical and inference methods and apply those when designing an in vivo experiment and analysing data material.
• Evaluate histological lesions and reactions in laboratory animals.
• Use basic surgical methods in laboratory animal science
• Analyse, evaluate and present results from simple diagnostic tests in experimental animals
• Explain and apply the basic methodologies and principles demonstrated and practiced at the practical and theoretical exercises during the course work

Competences

After the course, the students are expected to be able to:

• Work independently with problem solving, diagnosing and presenting relevant findings in experimental pathology and In vivo pharmacology.
• Be able to identify virulence factors of microorganisms
• Use knowledge on virulence factors in development of methods to control infections, e.g. in the form of active and passive immunizations and new drugs
• Be able to work independently with basic laboratory procedures
• Discuss the ethical use of animals and In vitro methods in research and product development
• Discuss strength and weaknesses of common animals models (including genetically modified animal models) in pharmacology- and toxicology research, in neuroscience and immunology and in studies of infectious diseases, autoimmune- and metabolic diseases. Discuss the methods of induction of the model as well as the validity.
• Be able to design, execute, evaluate and manage experimental animal research projects
• Use theoretical and practical methodology in laboratory experiments employing live animals
• Critically evaluate experimental designs and stated outcomes
• Use acquired knowledge to assess novel problems or problem areas and confidently apply knowledge-based suggestions for solutions
• Be able to find new information/literature on topics within the area of biomedicine and critically evaluate results and information presented in the literature
• Be able to take responsibility for own professional development and specialization.
• Be able to confident and competent present, communicate and discuss scientific research results