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Ageing & Regenerative Medicine - BIO00079H

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  • Department: Biology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Paul Genever
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will cover the basic mechanisms underlying the ageing process and how age-related degenerative diseases emerge. A fundamental understanding of these processes has helped to stimulate the field of Regenerative Medicine; new therapies based on the use of molecules, cells and engineered tissues to effect repair and regeneration of old and worn out tissues.
The module will be assessed by a research proposal, based on the taught content and extended reading, enabling students to pursue the areas of most interest to them.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

The aims are to acquire an advanced understanding of the mechanisms underpinning cell specialisation and tissue function; to examine how dysregulation of these mechanisms as a result of ageing and environment can result in degenerative disease; to appreciate the systems level cooperation of different cellular pathways/processes for determining the outcomes of cell specialisation and pathologies; to consider how applications of molecular, cell and tissue engineering research can provide new strategies for restoration of health through regenerative medicine. This module aims to equip students with the skills to undertake a research career or other analytical career path. Key elements of this are the ability to identify new areas of research and produce successful research proposals, skills that are developed and assessed in this module.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

Explain the mechanisms underlying cellular and organismal ageing

Interpret the impact of ageing on the development of degenerative disease

Identify and explain the clinical need for regenerative medicine-based therapies and the challenges that must be overcome

Evaluate with examples how cell function can be regulated by exogenous factors and cell engineering techniques

Comprehend and criticise key publications related to the field

Formulate a research proposal to address a problem in ageing and regenerative medicine

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research Proposal		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research Proposal		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.

For exam-style summative assessment, model answers will be provided for all questions along with cohort-level feedback indicating how students answered questions in general. Marks achieved per question will be added to your script.

For coursework assessments (eg. reports or essays) you will receive individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further improvement.

During the teaching of the module you will receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Such feedback may include: model answers and discussion of workshop questions, summaries of performance in practicals, VLE-based quizzes, individual spoken comments during workshops, individual written comments on formative work.

Indicative reading

These are available through the VLE module site.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.