The study of human genetics is one of the fastest moving areas of scientific research today, with technology driving the field of medical genomics from studies at the level of a single gene to population-wide analysis. Our understanding of the role of non-coding RNAs and epigenetics in regulating gene expression during development is increasing. And the importance of these mechanisms in genetic responses to the environment and disease susceptibility is steadily being revealed. The aim of this course is to explore a range of topics in human genetics and give a research based view of recent developments in the field. This will include looking at the evolution of the human genome and applications of genome research to examples of genetic disease.
Learning Outcomes
1. understand the structure, organization and evolutionary origins of the human genome, and the variation in genome sequence and structure in human populations;
2. discuss the present and likely future impact of the human genome project and other research at the forefront of the field of human genetics in medicine;
3. understand the research methods used currently to investigate the inheritance and underlying mechanisms of simple and complex human genetic traits and diseases;
4. demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research in human genetics; and in the collation, synthesis and written communication of information to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Module Supervisor: Timothy Barrow