The life cycle of the research project

General description

The purpose of the course is to provide knowledge about the main stages of the idea implementation, planning and execution of the experimental part of a scientific project (preparation phase, selection and setting of methods, design and planning of individual experiments, expansion of project to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the obtained biological effects). The practical part will include the preparation of a project according to one's own idea, but with invented results that confirm the idea. The basic skills and abilities necessary for successful research include the use of laboratory equipment, experimental design, preparation of the solutions, selection of the conditions for determination of enzyme activities, filling the lab notebook as well as preparation of scientific reports and a manuscript. All these issues will be addressed during the course. Practical classes will include video demonstrations of the laboratory work and experiments.

Lectures
1. Scientific idea and its evaluation.

Having a new idea. How to evaluate the quality of the idea? Personal and team projects. Interaction within team projects.

2. Testing the idea.

Selection of the minimal and optimal sets of experiments for hypothesis (idea) validation. Determination of the conditions for conducting experiments and selecting the methods. Evaluation of opportunities for the implementation of the idea.

3. Planning of a complex project.

Extension of the project to study the underlying molecular mechanisms.

4. Analysis and visualization of the results.

Statistical processing of the results, generation of tables and graphs.

5. Writing the materials and methods section.

Documentation of experimental results. Description of the experimental conditions, materials and methods. Preparation of intermediate and final reports. Evaluation of data quality and its value for scientific society.

Seminars
1. Design and preparation of solutions

Reagents from the supplier's catalog/website and bottles
Preparation of solutions

Tasks:

  • Calculate the amount of reagents to prepare the solutions
2. Basic skills for working in the laboratory

Rules for working with equipment
Filling in the labbook
Weighing reagents
Working in a team

Tasks:

  • Fill in the labbook for the day of work

 

3. Visualization of the results

Types of graphs and their use

Tasks:

  • Preparing graphs for different experiments (different groups, time dynamics, concentrations, two-factor)
4. Determination of the enzyme activity І.

Determination of measurement conditions and medium composition
Calculation of stock solutions
Tasks:

  • Calculate stock solutions for the preparation of the activity determination mixture
  • Prepare media of different volumes
5. Determination of the enzyme activity ІІ

Selection of supernatant volumes
Calculation of activity

Tasks:

  • Determination of the linear range
  • Calculation of enzyme activity based on changes in optical density (per μL of supernatant or protein)
6. Presentation and discussion of own ideas І
7. Presentation and discussion of own ideas ІІ
8. Presentation and discussion of own ideas ІІІ
9. Presentation and discussion of own ideas IV
10. Presentation and discussion of own ideas V
Level
Undergraduate students
Lectures
5 lectures
Practical classes
10 lessons
Duration
7 weeks
Language
Ukrainian
Certificate
1 credit ECTS
Lecturers
Teaching Assistant at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (PNU), Ivano-Frankivsk

Associate Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of Precarpathian University (Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine) and visiting professor at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Traumatology (Vienna, Austria).