DNA Amplification Technology
DNA-amplifieringsteknik

KMB025F, 3 credits

Valid from: Autumn 2022
Decided by: Åsa Håkansson
Date of establishment: 2022-10-25

General Information

Division: Applied Microbiology
Course type: Third-cycle course
Teaching language: English

Aim

The aim of the course is to give participants practical experience and theoretical knowledge of PCR-based analysis of nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) through lectures, wet laboratory work and discussions.

Goals

Knowledge and Understanding

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Explain the biochemical and physical principles that govern polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Explain the concepts of detection limit and specificity linked to PCR-based analysis.
• Have knowledge of the principles for quality assurance of diagnostic DNA analysis
• Have knowledge of how different types of PCR inhibitors interfere with the analysis, and how to counteract these effects
• Have knowledge of how PCR is used in diagnostic analysis, including forensic DNA analysis

Competences and Skills

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Perform quantitative PCR (absolute and relative quantification of nucleic acids)
• Design and optimize assays for conventional PCR and qPCR
• Determine which types of controls are needed to ensure the quality of a specific analysis process
• Evaluate and interpret results from conventional PCR and qPCR including troubleshooting

Judgement and Approach

For a passing grade the doctoral student must

• Explain which PCR technique (conventional PCR, qPCR, RT-qPCR or dPCR) is best suited for a particular type of nucleic acid analysis
• Evaluate how reliable a DNA result is and explain what determines whether the result is reliable or not

Course Contents

The course consists of compulsory lectures, seminars, workshops, literature assignments and wet labs that are performed individually or in groups of 2-3 people.

Course Literature

The course literature consists of selected scientific articles which are handed to the participants when the course starts..

Instruction Details

Types of instruction: Lectures, seminars, laboratory exercises, exercises, project, self-study literature review

Examination Details

Examination formats: Written assignments, seminars given by participants
Grading scale: Failed, pass
Examiner:

Admission Details

Admission requirements: Information about the application is available on the website http://www.cmps.lu.se/life-sciences/. Applications are accepted between 1 May and 31 May and the course is given for one week during September-December. Please note that the course is only available to registered doctoral students, which must be certified at the time of application.
Assumed prior knowledge: Basic knowledge in biochemistry
Selection criteria: Please note that the course is only available to registered doctoral students, which must be certified at the time of application. Students from Lund University normally have priority, but students from other higher education institutions are also warmly welcome to apply for a place

Course Occasion Information

Contact and Other Information

Course coordinator: Johannes Hedman <johannes.hedman@tmb.lth.se>
Web page: https://www.cmps.lu.se/life-sciences/courses/dna-amplification-technology-week-42/