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Advanced Research Techniques in Parasitology

Develop proficiency in advanced research methodologies to effectively design and carry out a successful research project.

435 enrolled on this course

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Advanced Research Techniques in Parasitology

435 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

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?

Universiti Malaya

Universiti Malaya is the premier research university in Malaysia, committed to advancing knowledge and learning through quality research and education for the nation and for humanity.

  • Established

    1905
  • Location

    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • World ranking

    Top 60Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

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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

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