Modules

In the September before the course start in October, you will have access to a "Module zero". 

The aim of Module zero is to ensure students have a basic knowledge of cell biology and genetics which they will need before starting the course. It is not compulsory and will be there to strengthen their knowledge of core scientific concepts and will set students up ready for Module 1 and future modules.

MODULES : 

1. Introduction to Human Genetics and Genomics

Module Leads - Dr Sevasti Zervou & Dr Nagore de Leon

The human genome and its variation; genome architecture; epigenetic modification; DNA damage and repair; cancer genomics; subclonality and mosaicism; cancer predisposition

2. Applied Precision Diagnostics 

Module Leads - Prof. Anna Schuh & Dr Niamh Appleby 

State-of-the-art diagnostics; biomarker properties and their clinical use; quality control; regulation; clinical interpretation

3. Omics Techniques and their application to Genomic Medicine

Module Leads - Ms Helene Dreau & Dr Anthony Cutts 

Genomic technologies and techniques to interrogate genomic variation; application in RNA sequencing; metabolomics and proteomics; bioinformatic analysis; evaluating pathogenicity of variants

4. Clinical Bioinformatics

Module Leads - Prof. David Simms & Dr Kate Ridout

Processing and analysis of raw sequence data; interrogating major data sources; integrating results with clinical data; practical experience of the Genomics England bioinformatics pipeline; essential computational skills

5. Treatment, Pharmacogenomics, Clinical Trials and Experimental Cancer Therapeutics

Module Leads - Dr Simon Lord & Dr Murali Kesavan 

Clinical trial design; genomic basis of drug efficacy and drug reaction; using genomics for targeted drug development; pharmacodynamics, resistance, and rational combinations; use of imaging and circulating biomarkers; regulatory aspects of drug development

6. Ethics and Health Economics

Module Leads - Prof. Sarah Wordsworth

Ethical principles in precision medicine; clinical and research ethics; balance of ethical principles with respect to individuals and society; ethics in the context of complexity and uncertainty; economic models in genomic medicine; justification of economics-based decisions

7. Molecular Pathology and Imaging 

Module Leads - Dr Dimitrios Vavoulis & Dr Bartlomiej Papiez

Digital pathology, AI and machine learning, including; tumour classification; sample requirements for multi-omics; genomic basis of cancer pre-disposition; imaging technologies; regulatory frameworks, clinical and scientific guidelines; global trends; early detection; role of artificial intelligence

8. Onco-immunology and Genomics

Module Leads - Prof. Kerry Fisher 

Cancer immunotherapy; tumour-associated antigens; the immune microenvironment; oncolytic viruses and the role of the microbiome; checkpoint inhibitors; immune response in cancer patients; adaptive T-cell therapy; bioinformatics in tumour immunology

This course is reviewed annually and subject to minor changes in response to feedback and evaluation.