Summary

Genomics is rapidly becoming an essential component of medical practice across a range of fields. Cancer clinicians use genomics to profile patients tumours to identify targets for personalised treatment. Immunologists use genomics technologies to characterise the variability of a patients immune repertoire. Microbiologists use genomics to identify bacterial and viral pathogens. With increasing awareness and falling costs, genomic applications continue to rise - and the principal beneficiary is the patient. This module aims to provide you with an up-to-date and broad knowledge of the principles of genomics, genomic technologies, methods of genomic analysis and the application of genomics in medicine and life sciences. In particular, it will cover: Principles of genome investigation and project design; sample quality; genomics technologies; genome-wide regulation; transcriptomics; dynamic models and networks; analysis of genomic datasets; basic computing for genomics and exemplar applications of how and where genomics can be used. The aim is for you to leave with a full ability to design, run, analyse, interpret and understand genomic data.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. Design an experimental genomic pipeline

2. Understand the importance of sample quality for genomics

3. Understand how microarrays and next generation sequencing technologies work

4. Understand how single cell technologies work and how and when they can be applied

5. Choose appropriate technologies for a given scenario or case study

6. Apply the correct analysis tools for any given genomic data and interpret results

7. Discuss and debate the ethical considerations of using genomics in research

8. Understand how genomics can be applied in many different fields of science and medicine

Who is this module for?

This is a compulsory module for the MSc Cell and Gene Therapy and MSc Personalised Medicine and Novel Therapies programmes. This module is open to all students with a good understanding of molecular biology. Note that this module has an interactive component which is assessed, so attendance is mandatory. Please ensure you check your timetables to ensure there are no clashes.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course will be delivered through a blend of interactive lectures, case studies, workshops (practical analysis), tutorials and discussion groups as well as self-directed learning. You will be asked to participate in discussion forums and in class debates as part of the interactive component for this module assessment.

Selected Reading List 

Nomenclature Guidelines: http://varnomen.hgvs.org

The sequence of sequencers: The history of sequencing DNA. James M. Heather, Benjamin Chain. Genomics. 2016 Jan;107(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2015.11.003.

The rise of the genome and personalised medicine. Brittain HK, Scott R, Thomas E. Clin Med (Lond). 2017 Dec;17(6):545-551. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.17-6-545.

Introduction to genomics (book). Arthur M Lesk. Oxford University press, 2017.

 

 