Course 2024-2025

Technologies and life sciences [EINGB315]

  • 5 credits
  • 60h+30h
  • 1st quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français

Learning outcomes

For J Messiaen :

- Cross-cutting approach to the subject

- Master the vocabulary related to the subject

- Memorise and understand the main concepts of molecular biology

For JM Dogné  :

- Cross-cutting approach to the subject

- Master the vocabulary related to the subject

- Memorise and understand the main concepts of molecular biology

For F Chainiaux : At the end of the course, the student should be able to

• know the history of the development of biotechnology

• know the different types of biotechnologies

• understand the main techniques used in biotechnology and the challenges of mass cell production

• know the main biopharmaceutical products (recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, etc)

Objectives

For J Messiaen : To discover the basics of molecular biology through historical innovations to the modern applications in everyday life.

For JM Dogné: To discover the basics of drug development, from conception to marketing and follow-up once on the market.

For F Chainiaux : The objective of the course is to present the various stages of the production of a product in biotechnology. The accent will be put here on the biopharmaceutical products (recombinant proteins, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, etc). The main techniques used in biotechnology and in particular genetic engineering and mass cell production will be particularly developed.

Content

For J Messiaen: Powerpoint presentations available on webcampus The course begins with the presentation of the main tools used in molecular biology and essential to the manipulation of DNA molecules. The notions of recombinant DNA and molecular cloning will be widely illustrated. In the second part, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches are described and illustrated both through historical examples and through recent developments that have a direct impact on our modern societies. In a third part, "green" biotechnologies will be addressed through the production and use of genetically modified plant organisms (GMOs) which can have a positive and/or negative impact on our way of life, ethics and the environment.

For JM Dogné: The course will be given in 3 main parts: The first part will be devoted to the introduction of the drug and its place in health care as well as the facts and figures of the drug at the Belgian, European and global level. The second part will be devoted to the analysis of the development of a drug, from its conception to its marketing and its post-marketing follow-up. The notions of development of particular drugs such as orphan drugs will also be considered. The third part will be devoted to the roles of the regulatory agencies and a brief description of the reimbursement of medicines in Belgium. A presentation of a contract research organisation will be given by an external speaker.

For F Chainiaux : The course is organised in different modules to address the following topics • Introduction, history and presentation of the different types of biotechnologies • Presentation and classification of different biopharmaceuticals • Presentation of the production process of a biopharmaceutical product • Main techniques used in biotechnology • Challenges of mass cell production • Valuation and protection of intellectual property Various external speakers will be invited to share their expertise in the field.


Teaching methods

For J Messiaen: Powerpoint presentations

For F Chainiaux: Powerpoint presentations available on webcampus and board

Evaluations

For J Messiaen: oral exam without preparation (plan A face-to-face) or webcampus DEVOIR tool (plan B distance learning)

For F Chainiaux: oral exam and group work

Please note that the following is common to all three holders and corresponds to the calculation of the final score: The final grade will be the weighted average of the hours spent on each part of the course. In the event of a serious failure in the first session (grade less than or equal to 7/20) in at least one part of the course, the grade given will be a failing grade (the other partial grades greater than or equal to 10/20 being definitively acquired for the second session). The failed part of the course must be presented in the second session.

Recommended readings

For J Messiaen: slides available on webcampus

For F Chainiaux: slides of presentations and reference articles available on Webcampus.

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales et de gestion
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree