Natural Sciences

This module aims to give a comprehensive overview of the wide range of approaches used in the imaging of biological systems, their advantages and disadvantages and look at current examples of how these techniques are being used in cutting-edge research.

The module will cover both practical and theoretical aspects of bioimaging and will involve a range of lectures, seminars and practical workshops where students can use some of the most modern imaging equipment available.

You will study live cell imaging using confocal and fluorescence microscopy, imaging for molecular dynamics, and also electron- and cryo-microscopy techniques. You will also learn how to use programming languages such as Python/MATLAB for image analysis.

The module aims to: 

• teach the use of bioimaging technologies to answer biological questions;
• provide contemporary, ‘front-line’ examples of research case-studies using the latest techniques in light and electron microscopy;
• maximise your opportunities to be taught by world-leading specialists in each respective area;
• give hands-on experience of optical transmission microscopy and control of laser scanning confocal microscopy.
• highlight the importance of image analysis and quantitative imaging;
• allow you to lead research discussions and plan your own research programmes.
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The skills you gain from lectures and other teaching formats will develop or enhance your employability. Transferable skills to other sectors include: 

• problem solving (linking theory to practice, responding to novel and unfamiliar problems, data handling);
• time-management (managing time effectively individually and within a group);
• self and peer review (taking responsibility for own learning, using feedback from multiple sources).

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 1. Choose an appropriate ‘front-line’ imaging modalities to investigate a biological problem
• 2. Make ‘hands-on’ use of optical transmission microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy to take publication-standard images for analysis and presentation
• 3. Use the FIJI image analysis package of ImageJ to quantify image data, as well as using Python or MATLAB to access advanced image analysis libraries through basic coding

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 4. With reference to primary literature, evaluate how technological developments in bioimaging drive the field forward and how new imaging techniques transition from publications showcasing their development to commercialisation and mainstream usage
• 5. Identify a biological question that can be addressed using bioimaging (combined with other techniques where appropriate) and produce a project proposal to describe and promote your research plan
• 6. Analyse and evaluate independently a range of research-informed literature in bioimaging and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:

• 7. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using written means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 8. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
• 9. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data with very limited guidance

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Live cell imaging techniques
  • History, context and challenges
  • Theory and applications of fluorescence microscopy
  • Theory and applications of confocal microscopy
  • The issue of image resolution
  • Imaging for molecular dynamics
  • Image analysis in Python/MATLAB

• Cryo- and electron-microscopy techniques
  • History, context and challenges
  • Theory and applications of SEM/TEM
  • Theory and applications of cryo-EM

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Reading list for this module:

• An indicative reading list will be specified with the introduction of each technology.

Yes

• ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10574