Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24
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| Title | Epigenetics and its Applications in Clinical Research |
|---|---|
| Course number | 2601 |
| Programme | 1-Ingår i flera program |
| Language | English |
| Credits | 1.5 |
| Date | 2019-10-21 -- 2019-10-25 | Responsible KI department | Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap |
| Specific entry requirements | - |
| Purpose of the course | The purpose of the course is to give doctoral students a basic understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms and their role in the etiology of common complex diseases. Through examples of cutting edge technologies and their applications in studying complex diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation, students will be encouraged to think about translation of epigenetic principles and approaches into novel clinical applications. The course will also help students to practice key academic skills such as asking questions, forming hypothesis and designing experiments, and conducting assessment and providing constructive feedback. |
| Intended learning outcomes | After this course the student should be able to: (i) describe the basic epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modifications 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 modifications, non-coding RNAs and chromatin organization). The course also covers the main 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 internal and international experts in the field, with group discussions and individual assignments performed by the students. Extra time for students' discussions with international speakers will be allocated. The individual assignments will consist of presenting and discussing potential applications of epigenetics in the students' own research questions and projects. |
| 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 assignments which will consist of presenting and discussing potential applications of epigenetics in the students' own research questions and projects. The students are expected to present scientifically-sound motivation for their application and to provide a constructive feedback to 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: 21st-25th of October 2019 (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 & 2015 & 2017) speakers included Dr E. Ballestar, Spain (epigenetic regulation of immune system); Prof K. Ekwall and Dr G. Castelo-Branco, KI (histone modifications in health and disease); Prof E. Hellström-Lindberg and Prof S. Lehmann, KI (cancer treatment with epigentic drugs); Dr B. Heijmans, Holland (environmentally induced epigenetic changes); Dr J. Bell, UK and Dr Å. Johansson, UU (genetic and environmental impacts on epigenome); Dr A. Göndor, KI (higher order chromatin organization); Dr L. Kular and Dr I. Barragan, KI (methylation and hydroxymethylation); Dr C. Ling, Lund (epigenetics and diabetes); Dr G. Lind, Norway (diagnostic epigenetic methods in cancer); Dr A. Pivarsci, KI (microRNAs); Dr C. Kutter, KI and Dr M. Huarte, Spain (non-coding RNAs); Prof M. Mannervik, SU (epigenome-editing); Dr D. Gomez-Cabrero, Dr. F. Marabita and Dr P. Ewels, SciLifeLab (bioinformatics analysis of DNA methylation and ChIP-seq) etc. |
| Additional course leader | Course directors: Maja.Jagodic@ki.se and Andreas.Lennartsson@ki.se.
Supported by doctoral programmes: Tumor Biology and Oncology (FoTO) and Cell Biology and Genetics. See: https://ki.se/en/staff/doctoral-programmes. |
| Latest course evaluation | Course evaluation report |
| Course responsible |
Maja Jagodic Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap +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 |
