Course Title

Prenatal Cytogenetics

Course Number

CC 4152

Course Schedule

August 27  – December 10, 2021

Catalog Description

A study of indications for prenatal diagnosis and the procedures used to obtain specimens for such diagnoses:  ultrasonography, cordocentesis, amniocentesis, and CVS; biochemical assays for metabolic diseases; problems encountered in prenatal chromosome analysis; teratology; and explanations and demonstrations of prenatal cytogenetic techniques and procedures. 1 hour

Prerequisites

none

Semester Hours

One (lecture)

Faculty

Ming Zhao, M.D., M.S., CG(ASCP)^CM  (Primary Faculty)

Jun Gu, M.D., Ph.D., CG(ASCP)^CM (Secondary Faculty)

Steven Sfamenos, BS., CG(ASCP)^CM  (Lecturer) 

Course Approval

Approved:  August 2000-2001

Reviewed:  August 2021

Methods of Instruction

Lecture, Discussion, Laboratory

Lecture Objectives

At the completion of this course the student will be able to achieve at least 75% competency in:

1.     Critiquing the indications for prenatal diagnosis.

2.     Identifying important quality issues in prenatal culturing.

3.     Defining different levels of chromosome mosaicism

4.     Comparing and contrasting the four types of clinically significant anomalies encountered in the study of dysmorphology

5.     Identifying numerical and structural abnormalities of autosomal and sex chromosomes.

6.     Defining maternal cell contamination and evaluating techniques employed in prevention and detection.

1. Students will be exposed to critical thinking skills such as separating factual information from inferences and identifying inappropriate conclusions.

Skills (Critical Thinking Skills):

Students will be exposed to critical thinking skills such as;

1. Separating factual information from inferences.
2. Interpreting numerical relationships in graphics.
3. Understanding the limitations of correlational data.
4. Identifying inappropriate conclusions.
5. Identifying and evaluating evidence for a theory.
6. Identifying new information that might support/contradict a hypothesis

 Affective Objectives

The students shall demonstrate a professional attitude by the following behaviors:

1. Arrives on time.  Three tardiness will result in counseling session with program director.
2. Dress and act in a professional manner at all times. No open toe shoes in the lab. Blue lab coats must be worn at all times in Wet Lab.
3. In the case of absences, the student will always make up work and get notes from another student.
4. Three absences will result in counseling session with program director and potential remediation.

Psychomotor Objectives

At the completion of this course the student will be able to achieve at least 75% competency in:

1. Demonstrating skill in an on-line testing environment.
2. Identifying abnormal chromosomes using a microscope.
3. Capturing and enhancing digital images
4. Performing karyotyping on an automated karyotyping system.
5. Performing dissection of products of conception (POC) using a dissection microscope with no microscopic detectable maternal decidua attached to villi.
6. Practicing laboratory safety at all times:
1. Wearing gloves and blue lab coat working with patient samples or chemicals
2. Washing hands after removing gloves
3. Using biosafety cabinet with appropriate techniques

                                                     i.     Never blocking the front air grille

                                                   ii.     Using sterile technique at all times

                                                  iii.     Working with one sample at a time

1. Using chemical fume hood when working with caustic/flammable/toxic chemicals
2. Disposing of hazardous waste in appropriate containers

                                                     i.     Biohazardous waste in biohazard bag

                                                   ii.     Sharps in sharps container

                                                  iii.     Flammable liquids in flammable can

1. Maintaining a clean work area at all times
2. Labeling all containers with contents, date, and initials

Teaching Modules

Module 1: Prenatal Development

Module 2: Prenatal Loss

Module 3: Indication of Cytogenetic Test

Module 4: Prenatal Cytogenetic Test

Module 5: Prenatal Cytogenetic Lab Techniques

Module 6: Molecular Prenatal Cytogenetic Test

Module 7: Interpretation of Prenatal Cytogenetic Test Result

Grading

The minimum passing grade for this course is 75. In addition, students need to pass comprehensive final exam with a score of 75 or better in order to pass the course. For student who fail comprehensive final exam, ONE makeup exam will be offered. Passing grade for makeup exam is 75. Only 75 will be entered to replace comprehensive final exam grade for overall course grade calculation.

For on-site students, grading consists of:

1. Module Post-Test & Module discussion questions (10%)
2. High resolution chromosome identification assignment & Prophase Mapping quiz (5%)
3. In-class chromosomal abnormality identification quiz (5%)
4. Laboratory Assignments:  Abnormal Prenatal Slide Practical (15%),
5. In Situ Culture/Harvest lab and quiz (5%)
6. Midterm Exam (25%)
7. Comprehensive Final Exam (35%).

Assessment

Module Post-Test & Module discussion questions

            Module discussion questions will be assigned to students after each lecture. Students need to finish and submit answers before module discussion session.  students will have a close book/close note post-test which cover the content of last module after module discussion session. Typically, each post-test have ten multiple choice questions. Test contents will cover powerpoint and assigned reading.

High resolution chromosome identification assignment & Prophase mapping quiz:

Students need to independently karyotype 9 metaphases which banding level is higher than 550.  Test will be given after due day to check competency

In-class chromosomal abnormality identification quiz

Students need to identify chromosomal abnormality from a given metaphase

Abnormal Prenatal Slide Practical

To complete this practical, you need to finish Three different cases. Each cases have 5 metaphases. The cases will be assigned to you by instructor. For each case, you need to karyotype the 5 metaphases and identify chromosomal abnormality for the metaphase (if any) and write ISCN

In Situ Culture/Harvest lab and quiz

        Students need to perform in situ harvesting successfully and submit lab journal.

Midterm Exam

         40 multiple choice questions

Comprehensive Final Exam

         80 multiple choice questions

Exams

 See Canvas Calendar

Absences:

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, all didactic lectures will be taught online in the format of recorded lecture, following by ZOOM live discussion. All on-site students are required to attend every ZOOM live discussion session with laptop camera on. This class builds from one lesson to the next so absences will definitely make learning much more difficult.   More than two unexcused absence may require student to retake course the following academic year in order to graduate. Please refer to SHP and CGT student handbooks for detail.  No module activities can be made up for a grade unless student is participating in a school related activity.

Policies

All policies for the UTMDACC – School of Health Professions will be followed in this course.  Please refer to your CGT student handbook and the school catalog.

1.      Students are required to attend classes and attendance is recorded regularly.

2.      Mobile phones, beepers and any communication devices must be turned off or placed on vibrate mode.

3.      All assessment challenges must be submitted in writing.

Required Text

The Cytogenetic Symposia, 2^nd ed, 2005

AGT Cytogenetics Laboratory Manual, 4^th ed,

The Principles of Clinical Cytogenetics, 3^rd ed, 2013