LQB485 Cell Biology
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LQB485 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LQB385 |
| Equivalent(s): | LQB584 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LQB485 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LQB385 |
| Equivalent: | LQB584 |
| Coordinator: | Rachael Murray | rachael.murray@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Understanding the role of cells and how their cellular components are fundamental to a healthy life is crucial for your understanding of how they become disregulated in disease and how individual components might be targeted to treat diseases. This unit builds on your knowledge of cellular components to examine how these come together structurally and functionally to build cells and tissues that function as part of a whole organism capable of surviving and protecting itself from disease and trauma. It will provide a platform for students undertaking the final year cell and molecular biotechnology units. This unit will provide hands on laboratory experience working with cells and will enhance skills in assessing, summarising and placing biomedical research in the context of health and disease.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the complexity of cells and the organelles and proteins that regulate their functions in the human body;
- Explain how mutation or loss of key cellular and extracellular proteins leads to disease;
- Critically search, retrieve, evaluate and communicate core principles and processes as they relate to cell biology and disease from scientific literature;
- Collect, analyse, interpret and communicate experimental data.
Content
Indepth knowledge of cell structure including organelles and the cytoskeleton, how cargo is transported through the cell to its destinations, how cells interact and communicate with each other, the complexity of the extracellular matrix and how cells thrive or die. This will be linked to diseases where specific proteins are mutated altering the function of the cells. You will learn practical cell biology techniques including microscopy and western blotting and engage in real world problem-based learning activities.
Learning Approaches
You will develop your critical knowledge in cell biology through engagement with online learning that will help you assess your knowledge throughout the semester. You will have the opportunity to apply the theory from the online Canvas modules using real world problem-based examples during supervised practicals and workshops. Content will be delivered by active researchers in relevant fields to enhance your learning and support your development of critical thinking and the specific knowledge and skills relevant to the aims of the unit. Both content and organisation are designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Assessment for this unit consists of a infographic, problem solving tasks and a laboratory report.
You will receive formative feedback on your learning at weekly class discussions and during problem-based learning workshops and laboratory exercises. After completing the practical classes you will be required to submit a laboratory report using Turnitin which assist with plagiarism awareness. Feedback on your report will be provided via Turnitin in addition to criteria worksheets. Refer to Canvas for specific assessment instructions and criteria.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment, conducted in workshops, will provide a mechanism for you to regularly evaluate your understanding of the subject matter presented throughout the semester. Feedback session will be held to provide you with correct answers, examples of common errors and suggestions for improved performance. Summative assessment will take the form of a written laboratory report.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
You are a biomedical researcher working in a cutting-edge cancer research laboratory. After months of rigorous experimentation, you have obtained compelling data demonstrating significant changes in the expression and modulation of a specific protein in breast cancer cells. These findings could contribute to a deeper understanding of cancer biology and potentially inform future therapeutic strategies.
You have conducted and validated your experiments, thoroughly analysed your data, and are now preparing a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. As part of this process, you must ensure your work is clearly communicated, scientifically rigorous, and reflective of the standards expected by the research community.
Your task is to present your findings in the format of a paper to the professional scientific writing standards.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You are a cell biology researcher investigating how cellular pathways are altered in disease. You have received three different types of experimental data from disease models, including cancer and metabolic disorders. Your are tasked with analysing the data, identifying changes in cellular processes, and explain what might be happening at the molecular level. You will use your understanding of cell biology to interpret the findings. This task reflects the real-world problem-solving researchers do when uncovering disease mechanisms through data analysis.
Assessment: Illustration portfolio
You are a clinician-scientist based in a hospital with an active research laboratory. As part of an upcoming departmental seminar series, you have been invited to give a talk on your latest research findings. To effectively communicate the cellular mechanisms underlying your work to a mixed audience of clinicians, researchers, and students, you are developing a series of scientific illustrations that explain key background cellular processes relevant to your study.
Your first task is to create three scientific illustration that clearly and accurately represents the cellular processes central to your research.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.
Resources
There are no set texts or references. The nature of the content of this unit dictates that you continuously search for current material. You will be referred to relevant, particularly web-based material and sites as appropriate.
Resource Materials
Safety and protective equipment
Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
- Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
- Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
- Fully enclosed non-slip shoes
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.
If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Report, Problem Solving Task, Illustration portfolio - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Report - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Report, Problem Solving Task - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team and demonstrate professional behaviour.
Relates to: Illustration portfolio - Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
Relates to: Illustration portfolio
LV41 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Report, Problem Solving Task, Illustration portfolio - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Report - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Report, Problem Solving Task - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
Relates to: Illustration portfolio - Apply knowledge and skills to rapidly source, critically analyse and communicate biomedical science information using appropriate technologies.
Relates to: Illustration portfolio