Labo intégré en sciences de la vie I

BIO-203

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Course summary

Welcome to the lab!

In this hands-on course, you will gain practical insight into the application of molecular biology and biochemical techniques in research. Your team will conduct a wet lab project that allows you to learn how to clone, express, purify and finally characterize pancreatic α-amylase from mammalian cells. Together, this allows you to gain expertise in data analysis and interpretation, troubleshooting and use of essential software tools. 

This Moodle site is organized by topic and provides all resources you need before, during and after the class. The content of the topics is made visible progressively to allow you to focus.


Key Information

Laboratory sessions
After the common introduction for all students in week 1, you are assigned to one of four laboratory groups, commencing on: 
  • Group A: Tuesday 17.09
  • Group B: Friday 20.09
  • Group C: Tuesday 24.09
  • Group D: Friday 27.09

Each group (about 45 students) will meet every other week as indicated on the schedule. In the lab you will work in subgroups of mostly 3 students and will be supervised by teaching assistnts (see Moodle/ Participants to know which group you belong to). To know who the other members are you may filter participants by your group ID (example Group D11).

Preparation before the lab session 
To allow smooth practical work and help your group to avoid mistakes, it is essential that you carefully read all documents posted on Moodle prior to the lab session:
  • course manual with theoretical background information
  • presentation
  • watch videos

Questions
Teaching assistants and course instructor are available during practical sessions. 

Language
All course documents are in English since this is the international scientific language. We encourage you to write in English (lab notebook, reports) to get used to communicating science in English. The exam is bilingual (F/E).

Time investment
3 ECTS credits (LISV I) correspond to an average of 90 hours total workload (during 14 weeks), including practical lab sessions, laboratory preparation, recording experiments into your lab notebook and writing formal lab report or poster, workshops and exam. The weekly average workload is 6 hours: either practical session or homework.

Assessment
The final grade (LISV I+II) will be calculated based on a weighted average of laboratory notebook (40%), lab report or poster (30%) and an exam at the end of each semester (30%). Be aware that plagiarism is not acceptable and will results in lower grades (ELN and reports).

Arrangements
Students with arrangements for exams are welcome to contact the teacher for special needs regarding lab space, practical work etc.

Week 1: Introduction & Exercises

All students: Tuesday September 10, 10:15-12:00 CM 1 2

  • Presentation course organization
  • BRING LAPTOP for Benchling software warm-up (tablets do not work)
  • COMPLETE online safety training for access to the lab (see Safety)

All students: Friday September 13, 11:15-13:00 CM 1 1
  • Presentation Electronic Lab Notebook
  • Workshop 'Creating Effective Figures and Figure Legends'
  • BRING LAPTOP for Electronic Lab Notebooks (see ELN)
  • Benchling exercises support

Workshops


1. Getting started with Benchling
 Tuesday 10.09 for all groups A, B, C, D

2. Creating Effective Figures and Figure Legends
Friday 13.09 for all groups A, B, C, D

3. How to Analyse Scientific Data

Tuesday 08.10 NEW TIME at 13:15 in NEW ROOM AAC 231 for all groups A, B, C, D

4. How to Write a Scientific Report or Poster

Tuesday 03.12 at 10:15-12:00 in CE 1 1 for all groups A, B, C, D

Safety

Online Safety Training SV-Biosecurity by Simona Frateschi
Presentation and quiz, 80% correct answers by Friday 13.09, 16:00
  • multiple attempts for quiz possible
  • either English or French, choose language below
  • enrolment key: TPSV 
Lab coat and personal protective equipment will be provided in the lab.

Benchling software

We will use Benchling software to design, analyse and store DNA and protein sequences throughout the year and it will be used again during the Master in Life Science Engineering.  Benchling exercises will be posted here. Tips and tricks for now and for your future career:

  1. organise files in projects
  2. use meaningful names for projects and files 
  3. clean up (archive) files that contain mistakes or correct the file


Benchling exercise sessions TBD

Electronic lab notebook

Walk-in support sessions for ELN Lab 1 - after your first lab session

Tuesday 17.09 14:15-15:00 DIA 004
Friday 20.09 15:15-16:00 CO 121
Tuesday 24.09 14:15-15:00 DIA 004
Friday 27.09 15:15-16:00 CO 121


Lab 1: Micropipetting

All lab sessions are in AI 0111

Group A: Tuesday 17.09 08:15
Group B: Friday 20.09 10:15
Group C: Tuesday 24.09 08:15
Group D: Friday 27.09 10:15

Lab 2: RNA extraction

All lab sessions are in AI 0111

Group A: Tuesday 01.10 08:15
Group B: Friday 04.10 10:15
Group C: Tuesday 08.10 08:15
Group D: Friday 11.10 10:15

Lab 3: PCR

All lab sessions are in AI 0111

Bring your laptop for Benchling exercises.

Group A: Tuesday 15.10 08:15
Group B: Friday 18.10 10:15

RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES: 1 WEEK SEMESTER BREAK
Group C: Tuesday 29.10 08:15
Group D: Friday 01.11 10:15


Lab 4: Ligation & transformation

All lab sessions are in AI 0111

Group A: Tuesday 05.11 08:15
Group B: Friday 08.11 10:15
Group C: Tuesday 12.11 08:15
Group D: Friday 15.11 10:15

Lab 5: Plasmid isolation & digestion

All lab sessions are in AI 0111

Group A: Tuesday 19.11 08:15
Group B: Friday 22.11 10:15
Group C: Tuesday 26.11 08:15
Group D: Friday 29.11 10:15

Week 12-13: scientific poster & revision

No lab sessions, time for ELN, poster and revision

Tuesday 03.12 see 'Workshops'
Friday 06.12
Tuesday 10.12
Friday 13.12

Teacher will be available for questions

Week 14: Exam + Report

Exam Tuesday December 17, 8:00 to 10:00. Start at 8:15.

Auditoire: SG 1 

Room: DIA004

Check the seating assignment below to know which room you are in.

Format: MCQ (one answer per question, no negative points)


Report submission Friday December 20 until 16:00.