BSc Experimental Pathology

Pathology is the laboratory science that deals with changes in the normal physiological functions that cause disease. It is the foundation of clinical medicine and, by its role in classifying and describing the natural history of disease, it is important in the control and design of treatment. As a science it is also directed towards determining the causes of disease, a role perhaps most readily perceived in the identification of a specific bacterium causing infection; less obviously in providing accurate knowledge of causes of death as the basis of epidemiological studies.

The intercalated BSc in Experimental Pathology deals with a number of basic problems in general pathology, as well as providing an opportunity for the in-depth study of a wide variety of specialist topics in experimental pathology. Most of these reflect the interests and recent research of the contributing staff.

During the course you will undertake 4 of the 5 course units on offer. In term one you will take two or three of the following:

  • Functional Materials in Medicine,
  • Experimental Neuropathology
  • and/or Cardiovascular Pathophysiology.

You will also start the project (4 course units), which will be a piece of original research and will normally involve experimental work in the laboratory or measurements on patients undergoing clinical investigation.

Your project work will often result in presentations at national meetings and publications in peer reviewed journals. You will be asked to choose from one of many broad subject areas such as:

  • molecular genetics
  • neuropathology
  • tumour pathology
  • cardiovascular pathophysiology
  • vascular biomechanics

However, if you have a specific interest outside these general areas, you are encouraged, subject to consultation with a potential supervisor and the course organiser, to devise a project related to this.

After Christmas you will continue with your project and attend one or two of the remaining taught units: 

  • Inflammation & Specialist Topics in Pathology and
  • Cancer Biology.

Structure and timing

Summary for 2011/12 with unit values and approx dates

Choose any 4 taught units as follows:

1

Functional Materials in medicine

1 unit

Autumn term

2

Experimental Neuropathology

1 unit

Autumn term

3

Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

1 unit

Autumn term

4

Inflammation and specialist topics in Pathology

1 unit

Spring term

5

Cancer Biology

1 unit

Spring term

Plus

6

Project (1 chosen from at least 20 alternatives, see section EP6)

4 units

Autumn & spring term

Summary of course units

Programme organiser: Dr Paul Allen, BICMS, Whitechapel.

Required units 4 of the following 5.

EP1/BE1. Functional Materials in Medicine

Course Organisers: Prof Julia Shelton, Department of Engineering, QMUL, Mile End.

The aims of this unit are to gain an understanding of the scientific and engineering principles involved in the functioning of joints and in the implantation of biological and inorganic materials in the form of functional devices such as artificial bones, joints and arteries. To understand how these materials and devices respond to the physiological environment in the host tissue and to assess the clinical value of different types of prosthesis.

The lectures provide a grounding in mechanics sufficient to understand the physical and material properties of bones, joints and cartilage and how these change during ageing and disease, of particular interest to the physiologist and clinicians who specialise in sports-related injuries. They also cover the mechanical interaction between artificial materials and the body and therefore is important to the study of vascular prostheses covered in the cardiovascular module (EP3).

EP2/NS5. Experimental Neuropathology (in conjunction with BSc Neuroscience).

Course Organisers: Prof J E Martin. BICMS, Pathology Group, Whitechapel and Dr Paul Allen, BICMS, Paediatrics, Whitechapel.

The module covers the areas of brain injury due to mechanical trauma as well as neurodegenerative diseases, with emphasis on the research techniques that may be used to study the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.

The module will complement the syllabus in basic neurosciences and is strongly linked at a technical and applied level to the clinical neurosciences. Specific topics covered include genes and disease and axonal transport.  Technical aspects such as the polymerase chain reaction are covered. The general pathology of head injury, neurodegeneration, demyelination and apoptosis will be discussed as well as specific neurodegenerative diseases including: motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis and prion diseases.

EP3. Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

Course Organiser: Prof S Greenwald. BICMS, Pathology Group, Whitechapel.

The aims of this unit are firstly, to understand how the cardiovascular system responds to the changing demands imposed by growth, ageing and vascular disease, specifically, the response of smooth muscle and endothelial cells to changes in blood pressure or flow. Secondly, to integrate this model of vascular pathology with epidemiological factors, such as fetal malnutrition, which are linked to an increased incidence of vascular disease in middle-age.

Introductory lectures outline basic fluid dynamical and elasticity theory in sufficient detail to understand the unique elastic properties of arteries, and the behavior of blood flowing in them. The theoretical background provides the basis for understanding the mechanical factors that underlie aging in the vascular system as well as the development and progression of arterial disease.

This approach is not commonly followed in preclinical medical courses. However it provides a novel way of looking at the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, major causes of mortality and morbidity in the developed world.

EP4. Inflammation and Specialist Topics in Pathology (in conjunction with BMed Sci)

Course Organiser: Dr M Seed, William Harvey Institute, Charterhouse Square.

Inflammation is central to many disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases are a major source of disability. The module will examine the scope of inflammatory disorders, the causes of inflammation, how to treat it and how it should be assessed both experimentally and clinically. The principal aim is to understand the mechanisms and treatments of common chronic inflammatory disorders.

The module will also cover a variety of additional topics in developmental and tumour pathology. The material covered in many of the lectures will reflect the research interests of the speakers and will include such diverse subjects as the history of anti-inflammatory therapy, gastro-intestinal & genito-urinary tumours and ageing & oncogenes.

EP5. Cancer Biology

Course Organisers: Dr David Prowse, Institute of Cancer, John Vane, Charterhouse Square.

On completion of this course, you should have a clear idea of the distinction between benign and malignant neoplasia and the factors which cause a tissue to loose its ability to control its growth and proliferation. You will be able to recognise the histological features of various tumours and have an overview of current techniques for their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. However as a basic science course, the focus will be on the underlying molecular biological mechanisms of tissue transformation and tumour growth, rather than the clinical aspects of cancer.

The module will start with the definition of neoplasia and will go on to describe the macro- and microscopic appearance of a range of specific tumours and current ideas on the molecular and genetic basis of their pathogenesis. The transformation from normal to malignant tissue will be described together with the manner in which tumours grow and spread. The course will end with an overview of tumour diagnosis and general methods of treatment (pharmacological, radiotherapeutic and surgical)

Plus

EP6. Experimental Project. 

The project will normally be a piece original research, which will occupy about half of your time throughout the course and is presented as a written report. If the work is suitable, it may be published in a scientific journal (possibly combined with the results of other BSc projects) and/or be presented, orally or in the form of a poster, at a scientific meeting.

The project will normally involve experimental work or measurements on patients undergoing clinical investigation. During the autumn term there will be several seminars directed towards teaching the data and word processing skills, necessary to interpret and report the results of your investigations. There will also be writing workshops in the second term to help you with your final project report.

You will be able to choose the subject of your project from a diverse range of topics and supervisors. However, if you have a specific interest outside of the project areas on offer, you are encouraged, subject to consultation with a potential supervisor and course organiser, to devise a project related to this.

Projects Available for 2011-2012
Please note: these project titles/descriptions are for information and may NOT be available for 2012/13

 Contact the programme organisers