ANAT2341 Lab 2 2013
Introduction To Group Projects
This 2013 course is divided into the lecture content and the laboratory practicals and assessment is divided equally between these components. The short answer/ multiple choice tests that are conducted during the laboratories will constitute 20% of the final mark. The group project work conducted and supported during the laboratories will constitute 30% of the final mark. The remaining 50% will be by examination at the end of the course and will focus on lecture content and the course textbooks.
Group projects - "Using mouse models to understand human genetic developmental abnormalities"
This series of practicals has been designed to complement the lecture material by providing an opportunity to examine human embryology in the context of modern medical research aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular basis of human developmental abnormalities that are caused by genetic mutations. Since students may have a variable understanding of human genetics, mouse model development and cellular and molecular analytical techniques, each laboratory will provide tutorials on these topics and make use of a series of examples to support the research process as it progresses.
Objectives of this laboratory
- First short answer/ multiple choice test of last week's lecture material
- Describe the group project process and assessment procedure
- Tutorial on an example of usage of mouse models to understand human genetic abnormalities - Williams-Beuren Syndrome
- Provide time for the formation of groups and begin selection of the group project topic
First short answer/ multiple choice test on Lectures - Fertilization and Week 1 and 2 Development
The laboratories for this 2013 Embryology course support the lecture material by reviewing the content of the previous week using short answer questions and multiple choice tests to ensure that the material is understood and students are staying up to speed. Paper answer sheets will be provided at the beginning of the laboratory and the questions will be delivered by Powerpoint. It is important that students are on time for laboratory classes as the test will take place in the first minutes of the class. Questions arising from this test can be addressed immediately afterwards.
The group project process and assessment
Forming a group
Groups should ideally have 3 members but 2 is also allowable to take into account the final class size. Groups of 4 are not permitted. Groups should be formed during this 2nd laboratory either voluntarily or by random selection.
Selecting a topic
Below is a set of approved topics for group projects. Groups can select one of these but once it has been selected no other groups can make the same choice. Groups can also select their own topic but it must be approved by the course coordinator.
Skin | Gorlin Sydndrome/Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome | 109400 | PTCH1 | K14-Cre Ptc mutants |
Craniofacial | Treacher-Collins Syndrome 1 | 154500 | TCOF1 | Tcof1 mutants |
Limb development | Split-hand/foot malformation 1 with sensorineural hearing loss | 220600 | DLX5 | Dlx5/6 mutants |
Gonadal development | Campomelic Dysplasia | 114290 | SOX9 | Sox9 transgenics/LOF mutants |
Heart development | Holt-Oram Syndrome | 142900 | TBX5 | Tbx5 mutants |
Kidney development | Polycystic kidney disease, adult type I | 173900 | PKD1 | Pkd1,2 mutants |
Multisystemic | DiGeorge Syndrome | 188400 | TBX1 | Multiple |
Eye | Aniridia | 106210 | PAX6 | Small eye (Sey) |
Blood | Omenn Syndrome | 603554 | RAG1 and RAG2 | Rag1 mutant and Rag2 knockin |
Bone | Cleidocranial Dysplasia | 119600 | RUNX2 | Runx2 mutant and knockout |
Neural tube | Neural tube defects including spina bifida | 182940 | T | Tailless Brachyury mutants |
Sexual differentiation | Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome | 300068 | AR | Tfm mice |
Neural Crest Derivatives | Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4 | 277580 | EDNRB | Endothelin-B receptor mutant |
Dividing the tasks
The oral and written reports should be divided into 3 equal sections.
- Human developmental abnormalities and human genetics
- Genetics of the relevant mouse mutants and the resulting developmental abnormalities
- Using the mouse mutants to understand the developmental, cellular and molecular basis of the disease
Each member of the group should assume responsibility for one of these sections. The marks will be divided into 2 parts. A mark for the overall project and a mark for the section for which you have taken responsibility. Therefore, it is important to edit each others work and ensure that the overall product is integrated and well finished. Each person should identify which section they have taken chief responsibility for.
Groups that only have 2 members should didvide their work by one student taking responsibility for part 1 and the other part 2, then part 3 should be shared equally. During the oral presentation, only one student should present part 3.
Oral presentations
The oral presentations will be 15 minutes long for each group and each member of the group will present their own section of the project in the order listed above. Therefore, each person will have 5 minutes for their section. The whole talk should be integrated into a single powerpoint file and each section should begin with a title slide that includes the name of the person presenting. It is recommended that the total number of slides for the whole presentation is between 15-25. The talks should be practised as a group to ensure that it doesn't exceed 15 minutes and that it communicates the essential information in a clear and concise way. A final summary slide is recommended highlighting the essential points discussed.
There will be 5 minutes allocated to questions following each presentation during which students from other groups or lecturing staff can ask questions of the presenters. This is designed to test the depth of knowledge that has been acquired during the research process and to identify areas of weakness that may need more work before submission of the final report.
Final report
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