Syllabus database for doctoral courses
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Syllabus database for doctoral courses
SYLLABI FOR DOCTORAL COURSES
| Swedish title | Epigenetik och dess kliniska användning |
|---|---|
| English title | Epigenetics and its Applications in Clinical Research |
| Course number | 2601 |
| Credits | 1.5 |
| Responsible KI department | Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap |
| Specific entry requirements | - |
| Grading | Passed /Not passed |
| Established by | The Committee for Doctoral Education |
| Established | 2023-02-24 |
| 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) describe 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 | The first part of the course includes an 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 conformation capture etc). The 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 the form of an essay with oral presentation 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 (2nd Edition) David C. Allis 2015 (ISBN: 9781936113590); Epigenetics in Human Disease, Trygve Tollefsbol, 2012 (ISBN: 9780123884152). | Course responsible |
Lara Kular Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap lara.kular@ki.se |
| Contact person |
Maja Jagodic Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap +46851776258 +46739801889 Maja.Jagodic@ki.se Neuroimmunology Unit, CMM, L8:04 17176 Stockholm Majid Pahlevan Kakhki Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap 0762624108 0762624108 majid.pahlevan.kakhki@ki.se |
