Medical Genetics and Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, 15 credits
Academic year 2022/2023
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Course code: 3MG022
Autumn 2022, 100%, Campus
Start date: 29 August 2022
End date: 26 October 2022
Language of instruction: English
Location: Uppsala
Registration: Please contact the department.
Entry requirements: 180 credits from educational programmes in biochemistry/chemistry, biology, biomedicine/medicine, biotechnology, cell/molecular biology, genetics, life science, medical sciences or a similar field of study. Also required is:
courses in biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, and molecular biology/-genetics totalling at least 30 credits;
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.
About the course
The course comprises genetic variation and causes behind genetic diseases as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the origin and progression of cancer. Current clinical diagnostics and treatment of genetic diseases and cancer will be treated as well as methods and techniques. The course will also give an overview of the current research within genetics and cancer.
Theoretical parts and computer-based assignments will illustrate, how molecular factors behind a disease can be determined. Methods for mapping of genetic diseases, genotyping with microsatellites and SNP markers and analysis of genetic variation in populations will be treated together with current techniques for the analysis of the structure and function of genes. The application of DNA analyses in forensic genetic studies will be illustrated. Ethical aspects will be discussed.
General tumour theory and tumour classification followed by cellular and molecular mechanisms important for the origin and growth of tumours as well as the body's immune defence against cancer will be discussed. The course treats e.g. epigenetic mechanisms for cancer, carcinogenesis, genomic instability, angiogenesis, tumour virus, oncogenes, growth factors, signal transduction, tumour suppressor genes and clinical oncology. Practical parts can consist of demonstrations of epigenetic analysis of DNA methylation at gene promoters in cancer cells. Also, web-based material will be used. Seminars together with researchers will give the students the opportunity to discuss current problems within cancer research.