ALS 409: High Throughput Technologies Lecture
Course Number: ALS 409
Course Name: High Throughput Technologies Lecture
Year: Second-year
Semester: Fall
No. Units: .5
Faculty/Instructor(s): Angelika Niemz
Description
This course focuses on the use of laboratory automation and high throughput technologies in small molecule drug discovery, biomarker discovery, and basic research. Relevant to drug discovery, we will discuss high throughput as well as high content (i.e. cell-based) methods for compound library screening, systematic optimization of high throughput screening assays using the statistical method Design of Experiments. The trend towards personalized medicine has encouraged the pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries to partner more closely in recent years. Biomarkers discovery and validation is of central importance in advancing personalized medicine. In this context, we will cover methods for discovery and validation of protein and cell biomarkers, using flow cytometry, mass spectrometry and other proteomics methods. Relevant to nucleic acid biomarkers, we will discuss microarray and solution based methods for gene expression analysis, SNP discovery and validation, and micro-RNA analysis, as well as novel methods for DNA sequencing. The course consists of lectures supplemented by assigned readings and computer exercises, in addition to student presentations.
Reading assignments will be handed out in class and will be available electronically on Sakai.
Prerequisites
First year MBS science/engineering curriculum, in particular ALS 320. ALS 409 runs in parallel with ALS 406: High Throughput Technologies – Lab. Students are encouraged to enroll in ALS 409 and 406, but may choose to only take ALS 409.
Learning Objectives
After completion of this course, students should:
1.) know the basic methodology and some advanced techniques used for high throughput in vitro small molecule drug discovery.
2.) comprehend approaches and statistical methods used for assay optimization and validation.
3.) be able to compare and contrast different methods used for biomaker discover and validation.
4.) have in-depth knowledge acquired through independent investigation of one key technology used for drug or biomarker discovery. Be able to present this knowledge in oral and written form.
Grading
Class Participation and in-class exercises 30%
Technology Review - Written Report 20%
Technology Review - Presentation 20%
Assignments 30%