Course coordinator: V. Bravou (Professor)

The aim of the course is to develop a critical understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that underlie basic methodological approaches applied in research or diagnostic work in the Biomedical Sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on the applications of methodologies in basic research and especially in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the context of modern personalized medicine/precision medicine.

More specifically, the course aims to provide students with basic knowledge on the methodological approaches currently applied in modern biomedical research and diagnostic sciences, the skills to select the most appropriate methodology and to develop a study strategy (methodology, equipment, budget) depending on the research question or the biology of a disease and the skills to monitor future developments in the fields of biomedical research. At the same time, the course aims to familiarize the students with research thinking and to expose them to developing cutting-edge biomedical research technologies.

Particular focus is given to the applications of methodologies in basic research and especially in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the context of modern personalized medicine/precision medicine.

Educational Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will:

– Have an in-depth understanding of the basic and critical characteristics of the methodologies applied in research and diagnostics in the biomedical science

– Will have become familiar with advanced biomedical research technologies.

– Will have developed skills in searching, analysing and synthesising data and information that will give them the ability to select the most appropriate methodology and devise a study strategy (methodology, equipment, budget) according to the research question or the biology of a disease

– will have acquired specific knowledge, competences and skills that will form the basis of original research thinking

– have acquired the ability to directly link-relate knowledge to translational-applied research in the fields of biomedical sciences and modern methodologies applied to diagnosis and identification of biomarkers of prognosis and prediction of response to treatment (ability to link knowledge to other fields)

– will have acquired all the necessary skills to be able to follow future developments in the fields of biomedical research.

Course description/content

The course presents in detail the classical histopathological, immunohistochemical and modern molecular methodologies of tissue analysis, microscopy methodologies (photonics, fluorescence, electron microscopy, etc.), methodologies of functional analysis of the nervous system, methodologies for the study of stem cells, labelling methods, image-signal analysis methods, methodologies applied in pharmacological research, molecular-genetic methodologies applied in epidemiology and advanced methodologies applied in disease diagnosis and in the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers.

The material included is divided into modules. In each module/section, research or clinical examples of applications in PBL are presented.

SECTION 1: Study-analysis of cells, tissues and organs

(Leader: D. Papachristou)

General principles of methods used in Microscopic Anatomy-Histopathology (Histochemistry-Cytochemistry, Immunohistochemistry, Tissue- Microarrays). In situ hybridization methods and applications in paraffin tissue sections (FFPE) in research and diagnosis, Electron Microscopy and Immuno-Electron Microscopy, Biomarker analysis in tissue biopsies-applications in oncology, Application of modern molecular methods in paraffin tissue sections (FFPE). New technologies in the field of Molecular Diagnostics.

Laboratory Demonstration: Processing of fresh tissue, scaffolding, taking histology in microtome, performing histochemical staining of hematoxylin-eosin, observation of histological sections in photon microscope.

SECTION 2: Functional Analysis of the Nervous System

(Module Leader: S. Taraviras)

Tools for measuring behavioral parameters. In vivo and in vitro signal transduction in the nervous system. Methodologies for studying neural circuits. behavioral parameters. Modern methods for measuring/recording the electrical activity of a neuron. The role of neural stem cells in basic research and regenerative medicine.

Laboratory demonstration: Electrophysiology.

SECTION 3: Principles of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology

(Module Leader: A. Vandarakis)

Introduction to the concepts of molecular genetic epidemiology, the principles and use of molecular and genetic methods in epidemiological and clinical research. Molecular genetic markers, genes associated with disease manifestation, microbial types causing infectious diseases and the interaction of these strains with environmental factors.

Introduction to Epidemiology, Environmental Epidemiology and Molecular Techniques, Epidemic study with molecular tools (PBL).

SECTION 4: Methods of marking – imaging – image analysis

(Module Leader: G. Kagkadis)

Detection and measurement of radioactivity. Other methods of tracer labelling for biological experiments. Examples of experiments. Glossary of radiochemical terms. Physical properties of common radio-nucleotides. Chemiluminescence. Cell transfection and analysis of results with: (i) CAT vector experiments, (ii) luciferase vector experiments. Electrophoretic Mobility Spectroscopy (EMSA) experiments: (i) Labeling of markers, (ii) EMSA. Northern type experiments: (i) Marker labelling, (ii) Footprinting experiments. Hybridisation in situ. Radioimmunoexperiments (mainly for allergens). Scatchard analysis.

Modern imaging methodologies in biomedical research.

Image processing.

SECTION 5: Applications of Methodologies in Diagnosis

(Module Leader: V. Bravou)

Applications of methodologies in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the context of modern personalised medicine/precision medicine. PBL aiming to directly link-correlate the knowledge acquired by the students in the course of Research Methodology in Biomedical Sciences with translational/applied research in the fields of Biomedical Sciences and current methodologies applied in diagnosis and identification of biomarkers of prognosis and prediction of response to treatment.

Indicative topics: Biobank, Liquid biopsy-Study of clinical problems. Biosensors/Rapid test-Applications in diagnosis. Neurogenetics. Clinical Cytogenetics, Genetic analysis with NGS: genetic diseases – cancer. Flow cytometry and imaging methods in research and clinical practice. Development of new drugs – vaccines – Clinical studies.