BIO5033 - Molecular Medicine

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic methods used to analyse and study human chromosomes, DNA and proteins.
Apply understanding of molecular biology and bioinformatics in medicine.
Apply and synthesize knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of techniques used for genetic testing for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of disease, plus associated ethical issues.
Examine the individual variation in drug pharmacodynamics, drug pharmacokinetics and toxicity; for example, the effects of ethnicity, gender, age, pregnancy, genetic factors, disease and drug-drug interactions plus the application to personalised medicine.
Implement understanding of emerging technologies in personalised medicine (for example, small molecular inhibitors, antisense therapy, biopharmaceuticals, novel drug delivery systems).
Assess the principles and application of clinical trials. Appraise the avoidance of bias, effect of sample size, placebo effect and the concept of therapeutic index plus the ethical issues surrounding the use of human study participants and human tissues.

Content:

Molecular Medicine will teach the identification of genetic mutations plus polymorphisms and how these influence the disease process. The module will focus on the use of molecular biology techniques plus bioinformatics to identify and characterise mutations. The effects of mutations on protein function and its link to biochemical testing will also be covered. The use of mutated gene products as drug targets and their influence on personalised medicine will be covered. Key pharmacological principles will also be taught and linked to personalised medicine. The process of clinical trials and selection of participants based on genetic traits will be taught. Practical sessions linked to the molecular, bioinformatic and pharmacological aspects will accompamy the taught sessions.

The content of this module has been mapped to the IBMS QAA Benchmark requirements for:
- Clinical Genetics (Clinical Laboratory Specialism) including genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic methods used to analyse and study human chromosomes and DNA; application of molecular biology and bioinformatics in medicine; pharmacogenetics and personalised medicine; principles and practice of techniques used for genetic testing for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of disease, and associated ethical issues.
- Bioinformatics and systems biology including analysis of high volumes of biological data, use of appropriate computational tools and algorithms.
- Pharmacology (Further content) including importance of drug actions in the living organism for prevention and treatment of disease; principles of drug-receptor interactions and the relationship between dose and response; routes of administration and types of drug; how drugs are metabolised and eliminated from the body and toxic effects; approaches for drug discovery and personalised medicine/precision medical science.

Learning and Teaching Information:

A series of 18 x 2h lecture sessions covering the key aspects of molecular medicine. A total of 5 x 3h laboratory practical sessions will be used to cover molecular biology methods. A single 3h Bioinfomatics practical will be used to demonstrate the techniques used to use computers to analyse data sets. A total of 20 x 1h tutorials (2 per week) will be used to support the Lecture teaching plus assessments.

Lectures
Hours: 36
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort

Laboratory practical sessions
Hours: 15
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort

Computer practical
Hours: 3
Intended Group Size: Full Cohort

Tutorials
Hours: 20
Intended Group Size: Max 20

Guided independent study
Hours: 226

Further details relating to assessment
Post lecture, tutorial and practical session activities submitted through Moodle will facilitate ongoing formative assessment opportunities via lecturer or peer feedback.

The Pharmacological data analysis assessment will be set at the start of Semester 1 with students informed which practical sessions undertaken during Semester 1 have been selected. The assessment is based on students analysing data generated in each of the selected practical sessions and then discussing the relevance of the findings in the context of drug clinical trials. Data to be analysed will be set as part of each of the selected practical sessions and students will be required to complete the data analysis plus discussion as guided independent study and then submit the completed work mid-semester 2.

The Exam will take place at the end of Semester 1 and will involve students being set a series of questions about the key aspects selected from bioinformatics, genetic screening, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, molecular biology techniques, pharmacogenetics and personalised medicine covered in the lecture and tutorial teaching.

Other Information
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) professional body requires students to achieve a pass mark in all assessment components for modules that cover the clinical laboratory sciences subject areas including this one. Since laboratory practical sessions contribute towards assessments these sessions should be considered compulsory. Condonement/compensation will not be permitted for this module, that contributes significantly to the benchmark statement and have learning outcomes that students achieve that cannot be evidenced elsewhere for the accreditation of the degree.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

Click here to go back to previous page