General provisions

The Master programme committee, medical faculty.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits in biology, bio-/medicine, pharmaceutical chemistry, medical science or similar fields giving relevant knowledge in bio-/chemistry, cell and molecular biology as well as molecular genetics. Proficiency in English required. Medical Genetics and Cancer – Molecular Mechanisms, 15 credits.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to

- formulate and process scientific questions theoretically and with laboratory techniques

- account for and evaluate current methods and techniques within the research field and also apply some of them

- compile, analyse critically and evaluate research results and present these both orally and in writing.

Content

The course treats methods to study the human genome and changes therein, but deals also with post-genomic methods for studies of molecular interactions. Example of methods that can be treated are: genotyping at monogenetic and complex diseases, identification and isolation and functional analysis of genes, advanced PCR techniques, detection of mutations, DNA/RNA/protein-based diagnostics, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). DNA techniques within diagnostics and forensic medicine are dealt with together with techniques for functional genome analysis, array technology for gene expression, comparative genomics, tissue expression and current methods for analysis of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms such as chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Furthermore, techniques and equipment for large-scale trials within genotyping and sequencing are treated.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, seminars, literature assignments and experimental laboratory work, if possible in the form of smaller project work. Participating in seminars, literature assignment and laboratory sessions are compulsory.

Assessment

Modules: Laboratory session 6 credits; Literature assignment 6 credits; Seminar 3 credits

The module laboratory sessions requires completed laboratory practical's. The module literature assignment is presented orally and in written form. The seminars require active participation.