Course content - Learning outcome - Admission - Prerequisites - Teaching - Examination - Evaluation

Course content

The course describes microRNA and transcription factor (TF) interactions as a key regulatory system in the determination of cell phenotype through regulation of marker gene expression. It also describes how microRNA signatures of cell phenotypes are determinant for normal organ functioning and pathophysiology.

Learning outcome

Practical laboratory course and bioinformatics analyses. The objective is to provide practical information on how microRNA and transcription factors (TFs) interact in differentiating stem cells, how to use a microRNA species as disease markers. Furthermore, different databases (including Mir@nt@n)) will be used as part of the strategy to identify important microRNA-vs-TF networks. Lastly, the students will get some hands on experience related to the anlyses of microRNA and TF expression, as well as traditional staining techniques identifying osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells or fat tissue derived stem cells.

Admission

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Ph.D. candidates at the University of Oslo and students at the Medical Student Research Programme will get first priority to the course. External applicants will be admitted if there are any available places.

The StudentWeb is open for registration from 1st December 2011 until 1st February 2012.

Registration form for external applicants - Final date for registration 1st February

Maximum number of participants is 30

Applicants will be notified by email 1 - 2 weeks after the final date for registration.

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Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

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Cellbiology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Embryology etc.

Recommended previous knowledge

Generegulation, signaling pathways

Teaching

The course is taught on the following dates:

16th - 20th April 2012

Part 1:
• Introduction to course: Differentiation of stem cells to osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes
• Transfection of siRNAs to suppress mRNAs of transcriptionfactors important for osteoblast, chondrocyte and adipocyte differentiation on plated stem cells. Incubation for 3 days.
Part 2:
• Cell staining techniques, light microscopy, assessment of percentage of marker-positive surfaces (mineralization, alkaline phosphatase, proteoglycans, fat droplets) using predifferentiated osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes from 14 day cultures
Part 3:
• Isolation of total RNA from 3 days differentiated osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. Q-PCR analyses of transcription factors (TFs) and selected microRNAs

Access to teaching

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Examination

Grading: Will be based on seminar performances, demonstration of practical skills, an essay with title/subject chosen by the participant, and the results obtained in the “multiple choice” session.

Grading: Pass/fail.

The examination papers will be scanned through the ephorus program.

Examination support material

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Language of examination

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Grading scale

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Explanations and appeals

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Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

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Withdrawal from an examination

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Special examination arrangements

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Evaluation

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.