Course catalogue doctoral education - VT24

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Title Epigenetics and its Applications in Clinical Research
Course number 2601
Programme Cellbiologi och genetik
Language English
Credits 1.5
Date 2023-10-23 -- 2023-10-27
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) 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).
Number of students 10 - 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) start date of doctoral studies (priority given to earlier start date)
More information DATE AND TIME: 23rd-27th of October 2023 (Monday-Friday), 9:00-17:00. LOCATION: Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Lecture Hall (at floor 0), Solna (Building L8), Karolinska University Hospital. LAST OCCASIONS (2017, 2019) speakers included Prof. I. Manuy, Switzerland (transgenerational inheritance); Dr B. Heijmans, The Netherlands (environmentally induced epigenetic changes); Dr A. Göndor, KI (3D chromatin organization); Prof S. Lehmann, KI (epigenetics in cancer and treatment); Dr A. Pivarsci and Dr. N. Xu Landen, KI (non-coding RNAs); S. Bartel, The Netherlands (engineering the epigenome); Dr. Å. Johansson, Uppsala University (environmentally induced epigenetic changes); Prof. F. Castelo-Branco, KI (histone modifications); Prof. M. Jagodic (Causality of epigenetic changes); Dr. L. Kular (DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation methods); Dr. I. Gutierrez Perez, KI (ChIP-seq & ATAC-seq); Dr. A Galvao, KI (single-cell approaches to epigenetics); Dr. F Marabita, KI (Project design & bioinformatics analysis).
Additional course leader Course responsible: lara.kular@ki.se, Contact persons: majid.pahlevan.kakhki@ki.se and maja.jagodic@ki.se. Supported by doctoral programmes: Tumor Biology and Oncology (FoTO) and Cell Biology and Genetics.
Latest course evaluation Course evaluation report
Course responsible Lara Kular
Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap

lara.kular@ki.se
Contact person Maja Jagodic
Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap
+46851776258
Maja.Jagodic@ki.se

Neuroimmunology Unit, CMM, L8:04

17176
Stockholm


Majid Pahlevan Kakhki
Institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap
0762624108
majid.pahlevan.kakhki@ki.se