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School of
Biomedical Sciences
THE SCIENCE OF DISEASE - A SIXTH FORM WORKSHOP
TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2016/THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2016
PROGRAMME
ALL STUDENTS
12.50 pm
1.00-1.15 pm
REGISTRATION (Foyer, RB Green Lecture Theatre)
WELCOME - Dr Debbie Bevitt (RB Green Lecture Theatre)
SESSION A – Dr Vanessa Armstrong, Lab A, 1st Floor , Catherine Cookson Building
1.20-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
2.30–2.50 pm
Foyer, DSLT
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN HUMAN DISEASE
White blood cells have a major role in defending the body against infection. This session looks at
the different types of white blood cells and their roles in defence. Students will stain blood smears
for microscopic examination to identify and count different white blood cell populations. We shall
also discuss how numbers of these cells can change in diseases such as HIV and leukaemia.
Antibodies are large glycoproteins present in the blood and other body fluids that protect against
infection, but which can also play a harmful role in some diseases. In this session we will also see
how antibodies can be detected in the laboratory and how this can be useful in the diagnosis of
disease.
SESSION B – Dr Geoffrey Bosson, Lab B, 1st Floor , Catherine Cookson Building
1.20-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
2.55-3.15 pm
Foyer, DSLT
BIOCHEMISTRY OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS
The analysis of body fluids, both blood and urine, can present a powerful diagnostic tool for the
assessment of human health and disease. In particular, it is the biochemical analysis of urine samples
that can identify the presence of either normal or abnormal substances and can be used as a means
to identify possible disease conditions. In this practical session the students will utilize multifunction dipsticks (Multistix®) to analyse urine samples (artificial) from a number of patients and use
their results to make a clinical diagnosis as to the patient’s medical condition. In the second part of
the laboratory session the students will use a simple two-step biochemical reaction that produces a
colour change to make their own biosensor to detect the presence of glucose in urine samples.
SESSION C – Dr Lindsey Ferrie, Lab C, 2nd Floor , William Leach Building
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
2.55-3.15 pm
Coffee Room,
2nd Floor,
William Leech
Building
THE EFFECT OF DRUGS ON ENZYME ACTIVITY: RESPONDING TO A POSSIBLE CHEMICAL TERROR
ATTACK!
Many drugs used in the treatment of disease act by interfering with enzyme functions. This is
normally at a controlled dose to avoid any harmful effects. However, the ability of some drugs to
interact strongly with key enzymes has been exploited to develop lethal nerve agents. In this
practical scenario students will carry out a well known colorimetric assay to determine the enzyme
activity levels in 6 patients admitted to A&E following a suspected chemical terror attack. Students
will use their results and the limited patient history to determine which patients could have been
exposed, if their symptoms correspond to the suspected chemical released and whether
treatment(s) should be given. The session will also discuss the use of enzyme activities as a
biomarker of drug exposure and the possibility of false positive or negative results due to underlying
patient diseases or medications.
SESSION D – Dr Catherine Meplan, Lab D, 1st Floor, Catherine Cookson Building
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
2.55-3.15 pm
Foyer, DSLT
GENETIC DIAGNOSTICS APPLIED TO A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: FORENSIC DNA PROFILING
At the DNA level individual people are about 99.9% identical; they differ on average in 1 out of 1000
base pairs. Unless you have an identical twin, your DNA will be different from that of every other
person in the world. Taking advantage of this property, we have increasingly used DNA testing to
identify victims or suspects or to rule out people involved in criminal activities. During this session,
you will help the police investigate a murder by carrying out a genetic diagnostic test. You will
compare the DNA profile of three suspects with a DNA sample isolated from a blood sample
collected at the murder scene. DNA samples will be enzymatically digested and analysed by gel
electrophoresis. This will allow you to eliminate some suspects and confirm the presence on the
scene of a potential criminal. During this session we will also discuss how restriction enzymes can
be used to determine the “DNA profile” or “fingerprint” of an individual.
SESSION E – Dr Debra Patten, Baddiley Clark Seminar Room
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
2.30-2.50 pm
Baddiley-Clark
Seminar Room
PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY
In this session you will learn how the human female pelvis is adapted for childbearing and
how it differs from the male pelvis. Students will come up with anatomical and physiological
explanations for some of the symptoms commonly shown by a pregnant woman. During the
session the impact of the structural adaptations of the female pelvis on the passage of the baby
through the pelvis during delivery will be simulated. Teaching resources will include bones,
plastic anatomical models of the female pelvis and fetal skulls. Students will also have the
opportunity to simulate a delivery using gynaecological manikins and role play the pregnant
woman and the attending doctor and midwife.
SESSION F – Dr Brook Galna, Sports Hall
1.25-4.00 pm
Refreshment
break
TBC
Sports Hall
SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE
Sports and exercise science is an exciting discipline that brings together the academic fields of
physiology, nutrition, sport and health psychology, and biomechanics. Understanding the scientific
basis of sport and exercise helps us detect, prevent and manage diseases such as heart disease,
diabetes and cognitive impairment. It also helps us reduce the risk of injury and optimise
performance of both recreational and elite athletes. In this session, you will hear from a range of
internationally recognised academics across different areas of sports and exercise science. You will
also have the opportunity to gain hands on experience measuring different aspects of fitness and
health, such as lung function, balance, strength and reaction times.