MF9250 ¨C Methods in Cardiac Research

Course content

Heart research is increasingly multi-modal, reflecting improvements and innovations in methodology, and a demand for robust assessment of scientific findings. Cardiac scientists benefit from understanding and utilizing a wide set of techniques, also outside of their own field of expertise. The host institute of this course, the Institute for Experimental Medical Research (IEMR), is a hub for multidisciplinary clinicians and scientists to advance cardiac research. Combining the knowledge of these researchers with invited experts, this course will introduce students to a wide range of key methodologies used in cardiac research today, covering the theory and general principles of each method in short lectures focused on key need-to-know-aspects for the non-expert.

Students will have the opportunity to observe the practical application of several cardiac techniques across the 3 day course, and are expected to present their own ongoing or planned work in a short presentation.

The course is hosted by Institute for Experimental Medical Research in association with NORHEART - The Norwegian PhD School of Heart Research.

Learning outcome

This course will give you knowledge about:

• Commonly used and cutting edge methods in the field of cardiac research.
• Methods in molecular biology including: real-time qPCR, RNA sequencing, immunolocalisation, protein-protein interactions, western blotting, flow cytometry, FRET and ELISA.
• Methods in cellular biology including: cell isolation and cell culturing, transfection, GM-mice, cell-stretching, calcium imaging, and quantification of intracellular signalling pathways.
• In vivo and ex vivo testing of cardiac function in research animals, such as echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, telemetric ECG surveillance, pressure-volume measurements, exercise training and cardiac surgery in laboratory animals.
• Cardiac examination of patients, such as MR, CT, SPECT.

This course will give you the skills to:

• Select the appropriate method to use in your research.
• Gain insight into the benefits and limitations of each method.
• Explain the core principles of the presented methods.

Admission to the course

Members of The Norwegian PhD School of Heart Research (NORHEART) will get first priority to the course. NORHEART membership is open and free for all PhD and Research Curriculum students at Norwegian universities.?

Applicants admitted to a PhD programme at UiO apply to this course in StudentWeb.

Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study before they can apply to this course. See information here: ?How to apply for a right to study and admission to elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences

Applicants will receive a reply to the course application in?StudentWeb?at the latest one week after the application deadline.

Maximum number of participants is 24.

Overlapping courses

• 2 credits overlap with MEDFL5250 ¨C Methods in Cardiac Research.

Teaching

This is a three day course.?

The course attendees will submit an abstract with a focus on the methods they expect to utilize during their research projects, which they shall also present during a three minute oral presentation. Details regarding the format of the abstract and presentations will be distributed before the course.

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.

Examination

The course concludes with an examination on the final day, which will be comprised of multiple choice questions.?

Examination support material

Own course material and notes are permitted. Use of electronic devices are prohibited.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.