MMB8025 : Transplantation Sciences
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Bill Scott
- Lecturer: Professor Francisco Figueiredo, Mrs Minna Honkanen-Scott, Professor Simi Ali, Dr Amy Publicover, Dr Nicole Kattner, Professor Andrew Gennery, Dr Emily Thompson, Professor Christopher Ward, Professor John Dark
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims:
1. To provide an overview of and introduction to transplantation sciences in the context of solid organ and cell transplants.
2. To provide sound understanding of the scientific basis underlying the therapeutic benefits and adverse effects of clinical transplantation.
3. To highlight the research areas in transplantation where applications of immunology, cell biology and novel technologies are impacting on clinical outcome and patient wellbeing.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module covers following main areas:
1. Transplantation immunology: allo-Ag presentation/recognition, cellular and molecular factors involved in alloreactive immune responses, antibody mediated rejection, immunotolerance induction and immunosuppression.
2. HLA system and tissue typing: the genetic organization and polymorphisms of the HLA system, the protein structure of HLA antigens, non-HLA genetics, HLA in health and disease, and the impact of HLA matching on donor selection and transplant outcomes.
3. Transplant therapeutic effect: haematopoietic stem cell transplant for leukaemia, lymphoma, and primary immunodeficiency, islet transplant and beta-cell replacement for type1 diabetes, corneal/limbal stem cell transplant for damaged tissue repair and identification of biomarkers of tolerance and rejection.
4. Transplant complications: The risk factors and pathogenesis, the prevention and development of novel therapies are introduced and discussed in the context of acute and chronic kidney graft rejection, non-immune injury in chronic lung allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease in haematopoietic stem cell transplant.
5. Techniques and approaches being developed to improve transplant outcome and increase the supply of donor organs, such as manipulation of haematopoietic stem cell grafts for clinical use and reconditioning donor organs for transplantation.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Non-synchronous online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 27:00 | 27:00 | Preparation & Submission of Essay |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Present in Person lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 27:00 | 27:00 | Preparation of Poster Presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Present in person (PIP): Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Present in person: mini-Oral presentation formative assessment and feedback |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Scientific Communication |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 19:00 | 19:00 | Additional Reading & Reflective Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 100:00 | 100:00 | Preparation of Notes from Lectures and Reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Interactive sessions, lectures and seminars will provide the students with a specific knowledge as a platform for private study. This material will promote discussion of key concepts and critical appraisal of current practices and encourage the students to reflect on their learning. Students will practice scientific communication skills including poster and oral presentation as well as report writing (for assessment). All of these activities relate directly to the learning outcomes above. Should public health circumstances dictate that it is necessary, in person sessions will be moved to online alternatives.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 50 | Poster Presenation |
| Essay | 1 | M | 50 | 2500 word essay |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Present in person mini-oral presentation of the poster topic – 5 min including question and answer from peers. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The 2500 word in-course essay allows the student to demonstrate and reinforce their understanding of knowledge acquired from taught lectures, which encourages the student to develop intellectual skills and independent learning approaches supported by interactive lectures and additional literature reading. This task also provides the student an opportunity to exercise critical thinking and scientific writing skills.
Poster and subsequent oral presentation encourage integration and application of knowledge acquired from the lectures and self-directed studies. It also fosters critical thinking, problem solving and creativity.
A separate workshop will provide valuable insights into how to best share scientific knowledge providing skills evaluated as a part of the assessments. Should public health circumstances dictate that it is necessary, the oral presentation will be moved to an online presentation.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8025's Timetable