BIOM30002: Biomedicine: Molecule to Malady

x2 Multiple choice MSTs throughout the semester, each worth 20% (40% in total). End of semester exam worth 60%, with SAQ component worth 40% and MCQ component worth 20%.

This entire module was taken by Dr Vanessa Bryant. This was my favourite module of the subject, but this may be because I'm biased as an immunology major. This module can be generally divided into two subsections, with the first half of the module focusing on primary immunodeficiencies that affect B-cell function, and the final two lectures covering the therapeutic applications of antibodies, particularly the importance of broadly neutralising antibodies in the context of HIV. We covered four different immunodeficiencies in detail as well as a more general overview of how B-cells develop in the bone marrow. This is probably obvious, but this module delves quite deeply into immunological concepts like VDJ recombination and the formation of germinal centres, etc. I think a lot of people who aren't accustomed to immunity initially found this module to be challenging because of this so would definitely recommend brushing up on all the immunological concepts you went through with Odilia in MCB. Can be quite complex, particularly with the bNAbs lecture, and may need a few rewatches and extra time spent outside the lectures just really drilling the basic immunology of it into your head. Once you understand it though it's really not too bad in terms of the amount of content.

I'll give a general overview of the subject, followed by more specific information about the different modules. It looks like there haven't been many reviews for this subject in more recent times so I'll try to include some information about what might have changed. Overall I found this subject to be very enjoyable, possibly my favourite subject of the semester. This subject focuses on five different "maladies" with various guest lecturers who research these specific diseases delivering the lectures so you really get to sample the most up to date scientific information and recent developments in the field. This year, we covered B-cells, cystic fibrosis, pandemics, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. For each module we also had interviews with patients who came and talked to us about their experiences living with the disease and personally I thought this was a highlight of the subject.

The modular structure of the subject is really useful for revising the content later on. Jessica Welch, the subject coordinator, is an incredibly lovely person and is very approachable. All lecture recordings are were uploaded in a timely manner, typically 30 minutes after the live lecture concluded (all lectures were delivered live via Zoom). Feedback quizzes for each module were made available, as well as FAQs from the live lectures. I believe relevant journal articles and research papers were also made available as recommended readings but I didn't really use these. Extensive feedback for each MST was given, including a very thorough analysis of the overall cohort performance and Jess was also very transparent about how the questions are subjected to 'quality control' after marking to make sure assessments are as fair as possible. Needless to say, subject coordination was impeccable.

We had two lecturers for this module: Dr Chloe Stutterd for the first half and Dr Jo Harrison for the second half. Chloe kicked off the module with the genetic and molecular basis of Cystic Fibrosis, where we went through the different mutations that lead to CF and genetic and environmental factors that affect the disease phenotype. We also went through the structure of the CFTR protein and how its functions become aberrant in disease, leading to the clinical manifestations of CF. Jo then went into more detail about the clinical features of CF, firstly covering the pulmonary aspects of CF, followed by non-pulmonary aspects and therapeutics/management of CF. Wasn't too bad in terms of detail or complexity and the content was interesting.

MDHS

All lectures delivered live via Zoom. Recorded and uploaded onto lecture capture.

Multiple guest lecturers for each module.

The largest module of the semester where we covered three major human pandemics with three lectures for each: Malaria, HIV and COVID-19.

For malaria we had Prof. Brendan Crabb and covered the epidemiology/natural history of malaria in the first lecture as well as some features of the malarial parasite and how it causes disease. The next lecture mostly focused on drugs to treat malaria and potential drug targets whilst the final lecture focused on vaccines against the disease and the different approaches that have been adopted for vaccination.

The HIV component was taken by Prof. Sharon Lewin and again followed a similar structure to the malaria lectures, with the first lecture covering epidemiology of HIV, as well as virology and immunology. The second lecture focused on current treatments and we briefly touched on vaccine approaches, whilst the third lecture focused on a HIV cure for the first half before finishing off with a patient interview.

Lastly, we finished off the module with COVID-19, with two lectures from Prof. Damien Purcell and a lecture by the coordinator Jessica Welch. The two lectures focused on the virology of COVID-19 and its pathogenesis whilst the second lecture focused on vaccine strategies. Lastly, Jess went through infection control strategies for COVID-19 and we briefly looked at case studies of the public health approaches adopted by different countries that were successful in controlling COVID-19.

No past exams made available but a sample SAQ exam was provided beforehand.

4.5 Out of 5

In my opinion, this was the most difficult module to get through. First few lectures were taken by A/Prof Natalie Sims who covered bone and synovium health. This was okay-ish but having to remember the inflammatory cytokines and the cells involved was a bit hectic. Nevertheless, Natalie was very easy to understand and presented her content clearly and succinctly. The other lectures in this module were presented by Dr John Moi, who spoke more about RA symptoms and associated deformities, epidemiology, risk factors, before finishing up the module with lectures on treatment, focusing specifically on TNF-a blockers. That final lecture was a doozy and went into a deep dive into many different monoclonal antibodies as well as the head-to-head clinical trials conducted for each of them. The final exam examined these concepts in a lot of detail too and this module was by far the most content heavy in my opinion.

No recommended textbook but the Janeway's Immunobiology textbook that is recommended for Principles of Immunology is quite useful for a lot of the modules given that the subject is quite heavy on immunology.

A really fascinating module. Like with most of the modules, this was a very immunology heavy topic. Our primary lecturer was Dr Tom Brodnicki who took us through the general history of T1D, its autoimmune basis, as well as how NOD mouse models have influenced T1D research. The stuff on autoimmunity was very interesting but also complex and initially difficult to understand, but Tom does a good job of explaining it. The last two lectures, one of which was a patient interview, were taken by Prof. Tom Kay. We finished up the module exploring the most current research into a cure for T1D.
In summary, a well-coordinated subject which can be quite content heavy at times but definitely manageable with consistent work.

Three 1-hour lectures per week plus six 1-hour tutorials per semester.

Semester 1, 2021

H1

2 x 45 minute MCQ MSTs (20% each) + Exam (60%). Each MST will test two modules. MCQs for last two modules on the exam.

This subject is structured well, there are 6 modules that each go for 2 weeks each, you are assessed on all 6 modules through multiple choice questions - modules 1 & 2 on MST #1, modules 3 & 4 on MST #2, then modules 5 & 6 on the final exam. Then in the final exam you are given SAQ's on all six modules, but you only choose 4 of them, so choose the 4 you are most comfortable with.

You start off usually in the first week of the module introducing the disease, how you diagnose it, what causes it, what are the aims of treatment. Then in the second week usually you are presented with therapeutic options, these could be drugs, surgery, or monoclonal antibodies.

Module 1 - Muscular Dystrophies.
Module 2 - Pandemics (Malaria/HIV)
Module 3 - Cystic Fibrosis
Module 4 - Rheumatoid Arthritis
Module 5 - B cells and Disease (Monoclonal antibodies)
Module 6 - Neurodegenration (Alzheimer’s/Parkinson's Disease)

Most of the lectures are delivered by clinicians or researchers and they are high quality, not many lectures would do more than 3 or 4 lectures each at most.
You probably could just cruise along and take the subject lightly and cram for the mid semester exams and average H1 before the final exam, but they aren't a good predictor for the final mark. It goes into a lot of detail, so if you want to go well you need to put in a fair bit of work.
For example, for Rheumatoid arthritis you will need to know osteoclasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, synovial fibroblasts, synovial macrophages, B cells, T 17 helper cells, T regulatory cells, and the specific cytokines that activate them, and the specific cytokines they release (IL1, IL-6, TNF, RANKL, RANK, GM-CSF, JAK-STAT signalling). Then you will need to know the Name and structure of monoclonal antibodies used against these cytokines, as well as other drugs used (DMARDs). This is just for one module and does not include all you need to know for that module. Doing all six is complex so you would want to give yourself plenty of time to know the relevant detail for the modules you are likely to do for SAQs on the exam. However you should have an extra module known in detail as a back up.

Personally I found the Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Dystrophy modules the easiest, and the B cell disease one the hardest. But depending on your strengths and major some might be easier than others. I felt like the Neurodegenration module didn't provide enough material to really get it, there is so much still unknown about it.

It's not an easy subject at all, you cannot get away with not knowing the specifics in this subject (as with most in 3rd year), this isn't about principles, its about understanding the specifics of these diseases. But the course is well structured and there is help if you need it, with FAQ's as well provided on the LMS.
Definitely the better of the 3rd year Biomed Core subjects, but you will need to work harder to get a good mark.

Yes.

Loads of lecturers, many different ones for each module.

No. Some sample SAQs for each module, feedback MCQ quizzes on all modules throughout the semester with feedback given.

3.5 Out of 5

No textbook recommended for this subject, plenty of journal articles provided on the LMS. These aren't essential to read, don't have to read them at all, probably just the topics you struggle with. If you do read them, reading all of them isn't necessary.

3 x 1 hour lectures, 1 x 1 hour tutorial (used for MST's or for missed lectures - just another lecture)

2015. Semester 1

H2A 78

2x Intra-semester tests (20% each) at around weeks 5 and 9; 3 hr written examination in the final examination period (60%). (note: There are 6 themes. Two are assessed in each midsemester in MC format (4 out of 6 in total), but in the end of year exam the last two are assessed for 1/3 of the exam mark in MC format (ie 20% of total like the midsemesters) and the rest is a choice of short answer questions for 4 themes out of 6)

It was quite interesting to learn about 6 major types of "maladies". Like the biomed cores from second year onwards though, it was not easy, although a lot of people received H1s on the midsemesters.

I guess you don't really have a choice with this subject though; if you're in biomed you have to do it, but if you're outside biomed, you can't do it at all. The choice has already been made for you .

Yes, with screen capture.

Various

None, but sample short answer/essay questions given.

4 Out of 5

None prescribed.

Contact Hours: Three 1-hour lectures per week plus two 1-hour tutorials per semester (note: the tutorials are a timetabling artifact; they are just spots to make up for lectures due to the tests, because they wanted to keep 36 total "learning" lectures I guess). Total Time Commitment: 120 hours

2011 Semester 1

H2A