What are biopharmaceuticals, and how are they produced? How can gene therapy be used to treat disease? This module introduces the fundamental concepts of biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy. You will explore what defines a biopharmaceutical product and how therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, and nucleic acids are developed and applied in medicine. You will also examine the basic principles of gene therapy, focusing on how genes are delivered and expressed to treat genetic disorders and other conditions. By the end of the module, you will understand how modern biotechnology is used to create advanced therapies that target diseases at the molecular level.
Distant and Online blended learning: lectures, audio, recordings, video clips, study guides - 44 hours
'Live' contact hours: live teaching via webinars and induction - 10 hours
Extended Writing worth 50% (1,600 words)
Short Writing Piece worth 50% (1,600 words)
All assessments must be passed to pass the module
Reassessment: Like-for-like
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
Classify biopharmaceutical products and summarise their therapeutic roles in modern medicine.
Describe and analyse the production methods used for therapeutic proteins, polypeptides, and nucleic acid-based treatments.
Explain the basic principles of gene therapy, including gene delivery and expression techniques, and apply this understanding to example clinical contexts.
Interpret and review scientific literature related to biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, demonstrating an awareness of current developments in the field.
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