Prospectus

nl en

The Pathophysiology of Coagulation

Course
2021-2022

Admission requirements

  • Successful completion of How To Write A Research Proposal is strongly recommended.

  • The following textbook chapters are also strongly recommended as preparatory material:

  • Medical Physiology, Updated Edition, Boron W & Boulpaep E, 2e druk 2009. Elsevier, ISBN 978-1-4160-3115-4: Pages 458-466.

  • Robbins and Cotran, Pathologic Basis of Disease, Cotran RS, Kumar V, Collins T, 8th ed 2010, ISBN 978-1-4160-3121-5: Pages 115-129, 666-675.

Description

Period: November 22nd 2021 - December 17th, 2021

Blood coagulation is a uniquely complex process that protects from significant blood loss following vascular damage. Research in this area focuses on the fundamental mechanistic understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of blood coagulation disorders, such as bleeding or thrombosis. Thrombosis is the major cause of death in western cultures. It may occur in arteries (myocardial infarction, stroke) and veins (deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism). During this course, we will focus on various aspects of the regulation of the coagulation system, which include the role of von Willebrand factor in the prevention of arterial thrombosis, and the link between coagulation, tumor progression, and cancer-associated thrombosis. The course will start with some introductory lectures on these subjects and will include additional lectures in the field of coagulation and vascular medicine – from bench to bedside. During the course, the students will work in pairs and have to design a detailed research project. The students will mimic a scientific study, in which they will pass through all phases of a research project: posing a research question, setting up the research strategy (collection of patient samples, design of molecular, biochemical and/or cellular approach), interpretation of data, writing a report. While no actual experiments will be performed, the students will work on original research data, analyze these data and develop new hypotheses and experimental approaches. The students are supervised by tutors, who will be available for frequent work discussions. The students will give weekly oral presentations for the entire group and will produce a written final report. Important to note is that this course is full-time.

This course will particularly work on:
Research competences:

  • translate a clinical/biochemical problem into a defined research question,

  • develop a, scientifically sound study design and research strategy,

  • collect, critically analyze and interpret experimental results in order to pose new hypotheses and experimental approaches.

Professional competences:

  • adopt a responsible and constructive position during collaborative projects,

  • develop modern communicating skills through both written and oral communications,

  • adopt an open, self-critical, and self-confident attitude by incorporating and providing feedback,

  • develop proactive behavior through serious involvement and engagement in assignments.

Course objectives

The course is intended to give students comprehensive experience in the combination of clinical and biochemical research. The course will give the student understanding in how clinical problems and biochemical methods are translated into a scientific study.

Timetable

All course and group schedules are published on our LUMC scheduling website or on the LUMC scheduling app.

Mode of instruction

This course is full-time and instructions are through plenary sessions, self-study assignments, and working groups.

Assessment method

Oral presentations of assignments; student behavior (motivation, independency, oral reporting, participation in discussion); written final report.

Reading list

Will be distributed during the course.

Registration

Registration for FOS courses, H2W, Scientific Conduct, Course on Lab Animal Sciences and CRiP takes place in lottery rounds in the beginning of July. After the lottery rounds: if you want to register for a course you are kindly asked to contact the student administration at masterbms-courses@lumc.nl.

Contact

masterbms-courses@lumc.nl

Remarks