Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24

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Title Epigenetics and its applications in clinical research
Course number 2601
Programme Tumor Biology and Oncology (FoTO)
Language English
Credits 1.5
Date 2015-03-16 -- 2015-03-20
Responsible KI department Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Specific entry requirements -
Intended learning outcomes After this course the students will be able to: (i) describe the basic epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs) and explain how they regulate gene expression, (ii) evaluate selected methodology used in epigenetic research, compare methods and discuss their advantages and limitations, (iii) evaluate and interpret new findings and recent scientific papers in the field, (iv) speculate on epigenetic mechanisms underlying health and disease, and (v) hypothesize on applications of epigenetic research in prediction, prevention and therapy of common diseases.
Contents of the course First part of the course includes overview of basic epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs and chromatin organization). The course also covers methodology used to study epigenetics (such as methods used to detect and quantify DNA methylation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, next generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools, chromosome confirmation capture etc). Second part of the course focuses on key epigenetic mechanisms in cell development, differentiation and disease (cancer, inflammation, metabolic disorders etc). Current applications of epigenetic research in common diseases, and future perspectives will also be discussed.
Teaching and learning activities The course combines traditional lectures, given by Swedish scientists and international experts in the field, with individual assignments performed by the students. Extra time for students' discussions with international speakers will be allocated. The individual assignments will consist of designing a research study that concerns epigenetic mechanisms in disease or application of epigenetics in clinical research. The students will also participate in evaluating assignments performed by their peers.
Compulsory elements All lectures, individual assignments and evaluations are compulsory. Compensation for absence (in a form of an essay) can be discussed with the course directors.
Examination Examination will be based on a successful completion of the individual assignment and the assessment of assignments performed by peers, which will be done in pairs. The individual assignments will consist of designing a research study that will represent a follow-up of the findings from a high-impact scientific publication concerning epigenetic mechanisms in common diseases. The assignment entails forming a follow-up hypothesis, gathering and connecting relevant information, designing informative experiments, planning the project and presenting it in a written form. The students will also evaluate, give feedback and grade the assignment of one of their peers.
Literature and other teaching material Course literature will consist of lecture handouts, current scientific papers and reviews handed out during the course. We also recommend the following books (not compulsory): Epigenetics, David C. Allis, 2007 (ISBN: 9780879697242); Epigenetics in Human Disease, Trygve Tollefsbol, 2012 (ISBN: 9780123884152).
Number of students 15 - 30
Selection of students Selection will be based on 1) the relevance of the course syllabus for the applicant's doctoral project (according to written motivation), 2) date for registration as a doctoral student (priority given to earlier registration date).
More information DATE AND TIME: 16th-20th of March 2015 (Monday-Friday), 9:00-17:00. LOCATION: Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska University Hospital, Solna (Lecture hall at level 0). LAST OCCASION'S (2012) speakers included Dr E. Ballestar, Spain (epigenetic regulation of immune system); Prof K. Ekwall, KI (histone modifications); Prof E. Hellström-Lindberg, KI (cancer treatment with epigentic drugs); Dr B. Heijmans, Holland (environmentaly induced epigenetic changes); Dr A. Göndor, KI (higher order chromatin organization); Prof T. Ekström, KI (epigenetics in health and disease); Dr O. Hermanson, KI (neuronal development and cancer); Dr C. Ling, Lund (epigenetics and diabetes); Dr G. Lind, Norway (diagnostic epigenetic methods); Dr A. Pivarsci, KI (micro RNAs); Dr C. Kanduri, Gothenburg (non-coding RNA); Dr S. Malin, KI (ChIP-seq); Dr D. Gomez-Cabrero, KI (bioinformatics analysis) etc.
Additional course leader
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Maja Jagodic
Department of Clinical Neuroscience
+46851776258
Maja.Jagodic@ki.se

Neuroimmunology Unit, CMM, L8:04

17176
Stockholm
Contact person Andreas Lennartsson
Institutionen för biovetenskaper och näringslära
08-524 811 54
andreas.lennartsson@ki.se