120.608.01
Genomics for Public Health
Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2014 - 2015
Instruction Method
TBD
Tu, Th, 1:30 - 2:50pm
Lab Times
Tuesday, 1:30 - 2:50pm (01)
Thursday, 1:30 - 2:50pm (01)
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Course Instructor(s)
Janice Evans
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
A college level course in biology.
Introduces genomics and modern genetic technologies, emphasizing their application to significant public health problems. Designed to be accessible students who have limited prior coursework in molecular biology or molecular genetics. Topics include fundamental principles of molecular biology; genome structure and analysis; mapping of human disease genes; use of microarrays, and next-generation DNA sequencing methodologies in analysis and treatment of human disease; comparative genomics of organisms; epigenomics; metagenomics. Student projects address current issues and controversies in the field, including personalized medicine, genetically modified organisms, and validity vs. lack thereof of patents of genetic or other biologically based material and use of such materials in health assessment and healthcare.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the organization of the human genome
- Explain how human disease genes are mapped
- Explain how DNA microarrays, protein microarrays, and rapid whole-genome-sequencing technologies can be used to analyze or treat human disease in individuals and populations
- Describe basic recombinant DNA, proteomic, and biotechnological methodologies used in the analysis of human disease
- Explain how modifications to or organization of chromatin can impact expression of selected human genes
- Explain how gut microflora can impact expression of selected human genes
- Explain how CRISPR-Cas technology has influenced genome editing
- Describe current approaches for gene therapy