Biochemical and molecular toxicology, 18 credits

At least the grade Pass for the courses Introduction to toxicology, Target organ toxicology and Health risk assessment of chemicals.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to: With respect to knowledge and understanding:

• account for current methods that are used in biochemical and molecular toxicology
• account for alternative methods for toxicological testing
• account for statistical methods within biochemical and molecular toxicology

With respect to skills and ability:

• plan laboratory experiments that can be used to answer biochemical and molecular toxicological issues
• in a safe way implement methods and analyses within toxicological laboratory work including working with toxic chemicals
• analyse and evaluate results of toxicological laboratory work orally and in writing account for and discuss the conclusions
• identify and discuss sources of errors, weaknesses and strengths for different methods within biochemical and molecular toxicology and for alternative methods for toxicological testing
• Identify and apply relevant statistical methods for the analysis of data from laboratory experiments and interpret results and draw statistical conclusions
• identify and formulate issues related to global perspectives within toxicology and the importance of chemical safety for sustainable development,

With respect to judgement and approach:

• make assessments considering scientific and ethical aspects regarding toxicological methodology
• make assessments considering social and ethical aspects regarding the role of toxicology in sustainable development and in a global perspective.

The course is divided in five parts:

This part contains theory and practical application of current biochemical and molecular methods within toxicology. The part also includes alternative methods within toxicological research and testing such as in vitro, in silico and alternative animal models. Laboratory technology and laboratory safety is included. The methods that are included can vary from course to course depending on current research issues. Examples of methods that may be included are: molecular biological methods for the analysis of DNA, RNA levels, protein levels and enzyme activity. Cell culture. Different omics and in silico technologies and methods. Methods within epigenetics. Methods for determination of DNA-damage and cell toxicity. Methods within endocrine toxicology. Methods for analysis of dose-effect relationships and relative toxic potency.

This part contains analysis of need, development, validation and regulatory acceptance of alternative methods (that substitute, improve and decrease the number of vivisections) for toxicological testing.

This part includes global perspective in toxicology including the importance of chemical safety for sustainable development and the role of toxicology in this.

The course is completed with an integrating part where the contents from the parts Toxicological laboratory methods in practice, Alternative methods for toxicological testing and Global perspectives in the toxicology be examined summationally.

This part contains theory and practically application of basic statistical principles and methods that are applied within experimental toxicological research.

The teaching includes laboratory sessions (including computer exercises), lectures, written reports, oral presentations and group assignments.

Biochemical and molecular toxicology in practice (8.5 credits) are graded Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail and is examined through individual written laboratory reports. Biostatistics (1.5 credits) is graded Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail and is examined through written examination. Alternative methods for toxicological testing (1.5 credits) are graded Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail and is examined through individual written reports and oral presentations. Global perspective in the toxicology (1.5 credits) are graded Pass/Fail and is examined through written reports and oral presentations. Integration of biochemical and molecular toxicology (5 credits) is graded Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail and is examined through written examination. Final grades in the course are based on the grade for all parts. For the grade Pass in the course a Pass is required for all parts.

Compulsory participation All practical modules including presentations and occasional lectures (indicated in the schedule) are compulsory. The course director decides if and in that case how absence may be compensated. Before the student has participated in compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, results for each module are not registered in LADOK.

The course has been cancelled and was offered for the last time in the fall semester of 2016.

The course language is  English.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Higher Education.

Oral evaluation in the form of course council meetings will be carried out during the course.