MCE1100

Practical techniques and statistics in embryology I ( 12 points, SCA Band 2, 0.250 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Peter Sjoblom

Offered:
Clayton 1-32 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit provides practical and statistical techniques essential for work in a human IVF laboratory. Basic laboratory skills, introductory mammalian embryology, embryo culture procedures, media composition and the measurement of embryo metabolism are presented within the important context of quality control in IVF programs. This also involves the teaching of skills eg handling of the egg and early embryo to ensure the production of good quality IVF embryos and the techniques required for the cryopreservation of these embryos for storage. All these skills are essential components of a successful clinical human IVF program.

Objectives: On completion of this unit, students will: 1. be familiar with the application of the statistics used to analyse data generated from embryological and IVF research; 2. have a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of the practical techniques to be learnt; 3. have gained some knowledge about the nuclear transfer and nuclear recycling systems used ion cloning embryonic and somatic cells form animals; 4. be competent in basic laboratory skills, such as: carrying out dilutions, calculating the concentration of a solution, determining the molarity of a solution, using a microscope, using a centrifuge, and in the identification of the microscopic structure of the early embryo; 5. competently demonstrate skills in preparing simple and complex media for in vitro culture and co-culture systems; 6. have shown the ability to select good from bad quality embryos based on morphological and metabolic characteristics; 7. shown competence in handling oocytes and embryos and in the technique of oocyte maturation, assisted hatching and embryo biopsy; 8. have the skills to perform IVF competently; 9. be skilled in the techniques of sperm, embryo and the ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

Assessment: Demonstration of practical competence in techniques: 100%

Contact Hours: 18 weeks (1.5 days laboratory sessions each week, 3 hours tutorial on laboratory procedures and safety, 9 hours on statistical methods and 12 hours videos, discussions, technical demonstrations over the semester