Genomics Guided Treatment

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Appraise the strategies and analytical approaches for stratifying patients for optimal drug response or adverse drug reactions
• Discuss and critically evaluate how genomic information can enable the selection of drugs targeted for particular genotypes and the understanding of the emergence of drug resistance
• Identify and evaluate the different types of current and emerging biomarkers used in personalised medicine
• Evaluate how sequencing of the genome can be used for assessing pathogenicity
• Explain how the integration of genomic, clinical and molecular data can be utilised for patient stratification

Disease classification systems, including diagnosis, molecular sub-classification, aggressiveness (prognosis).

Examples of the genomic basis of drug efficacy and reactions, how these are applied in prescribing practice and in clinical trials.

Use of genomic information, for targeted drug development.

Different types and examples of genomic-targeted intervention (examples of genome-targeted clinical, therapeutic or lifestyle choices).

Genomic biomarkers: SNPs, variability of short sequence repeats, haplotypes, DNA modifications, e.g. methylation, deletions or insertions, copy number variants, RNA expression levels, RNA splicing, microRNA levels.

Use of biomarkers for stratification and treatment: genomic and cellular markers and optimal treatment regimes.

Monitoring disease following treatment (medical, surgical or bone marrow transplant).

Importance of sample quality for genomic analysis.

Molecular basis of single gene subsets; research evidence (co-segregation studies) identifying sequence alterations (single gene Sanger sequencing and NGS panel tests); how to interpret molecular results for pathogenicity – literature, databases, & in silico tools.

Other molecular predisposition; GWAS studies; other predisposition biomarkers.

Teaching and learning methods

The module will comprise intensive teaching, interspersed with periods of independent study.

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be adopted to promote a wide range of skills and meet the differing learning styles of the group.

The teaching will include seminars, practical demonstrations, discussions and exercises surrounding interpretation of data and clinical scenarios, and specialist lectures given by a range of academic and health care professionals. This will ensure a breadth and depth of perspective, giving a good balance between background theories and principles and practical experience.

Off-site independent learning will take place on the virtual learning environment hosted by the UoS.

Assessment strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. In addition to the summative assessments, during the course of the module there will be opportunities to obtain feedback in the form of unassessed, formative activities.

The pass mark for this module is 50%; if you have failed the module, the Board of Examiners may offer you the opportunity to submit work at the next referral (re-sit) opportunity.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External