Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours100% online
How it works
Advanced Research Techniques in Parasitology
Add new research methods to your toolkit
On this six-week course taught by expert researchers at the Universiti of Malaya, you’ll master new and cutting-edge research methods in parasitology.
From molecular diagnostics to genetic manipulation and spatial-temporal analysis, you’ll be armed with a toolbox of techniques for your next research project.
Take a deep dive into molecular diagnostics, in vitro blood-stage cultures, and genetic manipulation
After reviewing standard methodology and basic concepts in parasitology research, you’ll delve further into specific techniques and methods.
You’ll learn about the latest developments in molecular diagnostics, in vitro blood-stage culture analysis, and genetic manipulation, gaining practical guidance on applying the methods in your own research.
Learn how to build a successful immunology research project
In the third week of the course, you’ll master the art of experiment design and execution, focusing specifically on immunology research.
You’ll compare a range of existing research projects, examining whether and how they meet their research objectives.
Discuss how spatial-temporal factors could influence your project
The course will conclude by investigating the role of spatial-temporal analysis in tropical disease research. You’ll gain an introduction to Geographical Information Systems, and reflect on how this data could inform experiment design.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge you need to plan your next parasitology research project.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to advanced research techniques
Getting Started
Hello and welcome!
Advanced research techniques
Introduction to advanced research techniques
Weekly wrap up
Weekly wrap up
Week 2
Molecular diagnostics: a revolution in progress
Introduction to Molecular diagnostics
Introduction to Molecular diagnostics
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Basic theory about PCR
Droplet Digital PCR
Introduction to Droplet Digital PCR
Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method
Introduction to Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Method
Weekly Wrap up
Weekly Wrap up
Week 3
How to put together a good Immunology research?
Background & Introduction
Immunology is a complex niche of medical knowledge. Properly designed research is required to tackle many questions in Immunology.
Experiment designing
Experiment designing
Execution
Execution
Weekly Wrap up
Weekly Wrap up
Week 4
Plasmodium in vitro blood-stage culture: what are we missing?
Plasmodium in vitro blood-stage culture: what are we missing?
In this activity, you will be briefly introduced to Plasmodium as the causative agent for malaria, get a glimpse of how culture is done in the lab and explore the benefits of Plasmodium in vitro culture.
Variation of in vitro Plasmodium culture
Find out if all human Plasmodium species can be cultured in vitro and what are the differences between short term and continuous culture.
What do you need to start Plasmodium culture?
Find out what is required to start Plasmodium blood stage culture.
Obstacles in in vitro Plasmodium culture
Culturing Plasmodium is not an easy task. Find out some of the main issues that may affect the parasite's growth.
Weekly Wrap up
Test how much you know and let's go through the major key points!
Week 5
Genetic manipulation in parasitology: not just cut and pasted!
What is CRISPR-Cas9?
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) is a simple and precise genome editing tool that can edit/repair DNA sequences in desired way.
How CRISPR-Cas9 works
In this section, we will explain how CRISPR-Cas9 works, by identifying the target to be cut, and the DNA repair mechanisms.
CRISPR-Cas9 in Plasmodium sp.
We will use malaria parasite, Plasmodium sp. as example in this section, to explain how CRISPR-Cas9 works on this deadly parasite.
CRISPR-Cas9 in other parasites and vectors
CRISPR-Cas9 has been used in other parasites including protozoa (Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Cryptosporidium); helminths (Schistosoma, Strongyloides, Opisthorchis); and vectors (mosquito Aedes, sandfly Phlebotomus).
Weekly Wrap up
Let’s have some quick recap on what we have learnt over this week, and is time to check your understanding.
Week 6
Spatial-temporal analysis in tropical diseases: its application for decision-making
Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)
Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)
What is a spatial data model?
A spatial data model for GIS (Geographic Information System) is a specialized type of spatial data model that is designed to support the storage, analysis, and visualization of geographic data in a digital environment.
What is spatial data analysis?
What is spatial data analysis?
How is GIS used in disease control and planning?
How is GIS used in disease control and planning?
Weekly wrap
Weekly wrap
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Apply principles in advanced molecular diagnostic, immunological, genetic, and GIS for research and diagnosis of parasitic infections.
- Interpret experimental data of parasitic infections.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in parasitology. Having a foundation in parasitology or microbiology can enhance comprehension of the material, but it is not mandatory. It will be particularly valuable to students pursuing or interested in pursuing a master’s degree in the field.
Who will you learn with?
BSc, MMedSc, PhD
Department of Parasitology
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Wenn-Chyau Lee received his BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Sciences from University of Malaya, Malaysia in 2011, and graduated with his PhD in Medical Sciences from University of Malaya in 2014.
MBBS (UM), PhD (UM), DTM&H (Royal College of Physicians, United Kingdom)
Department of Parasitology
Faculty of Medicine
Universiti Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Cheong Fei Wen obtained her Bachelor Degree in Biomedical Science (with distinction) from Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia in 2009. She passed her PhD with distinction from UM in 2015.
Dr Romano Ngui obtained undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the Universiti Malaya. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya
Who developed the course?
Established
1905Location
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaWorld ranking
Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021
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Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
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Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 23 Dec 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
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