Course Catalogue

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This course provides students with in-depth knowledge on theoretical aspects, techniques, ethical considerations and applied translational examples of molecular medicine, gene therapy and pharmacogenomics.

Lectures weekly during the second semester.

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MED5381 Pharmacogenomics & Molecular Medicine: Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine

Coursework (20%). An assignment focused on critical evaluation of the ethical issues associated with the use of patient genetic information.

Final written exam (80%).

This course aims to provide students with in-depth, critical understanding of the key and advanced concepts, principles and examples of:

■ The genetic basis of disease and variability in responses to drug treatment

■ Gene manipulation, transgenic animals and translational gene therapy

■ Ethical considerations in relation to genetic medicine

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically evaluate theories and concepts of molecular pharmacogenomics and demonstrate how principles of molecular and cellular biology can be used to explain the genetic basis of variability in drug response.

■ Articulate the principles of translational pharmacogenetics and evaluate the ethical issues it raises in a range of specialised drug treatment techniques.

■ Identify and critically discuss the principles of gene therapy and how it has evolved from our understanding of the molecular basis of disease.

■ Critique different approaches in gene therapy to treat monogenic and complex diseases.

■ Explain gene editing technologies as tools for understanding gene function and as a therapeutic intervention.

■ Describe the production of genetically modified animal models and evaluate their use in the understanding of gene function.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.