Stratified Medicine

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate how pharmacogenomics is used to determine drug responses
• Explain how the integration of genomic, clinical and molecular data can be utilised for patient stratification
• Discuss and critically evaluate how omic information can enable selection of drugs targeted for molecular subtypes
• Identify and evaluate the different types of current and emerging biomarkers used in personalised medicine

• 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 omic information, for targeted drug development.
• Different types and examples of genomic-targeted intervention (examples of genome-targeted clinical, therapeutic or lifestyle choices).
• 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.
• Importance of sample quality for genomic analysis.
• Pharmacogenomics: Use of omic information to predict drug response and adverse reactions.

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, discussions and exercises surrounding the 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 in the virtual learning environment hosted by the UoS.

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

The MRC Framework for Stratified Medicine Research.

Video: Stratified, personalised or P4 medicine - opportunities and challenges.

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 assessments comprise three written assignments, covering the three themes of cancer, communicable disease and non-communicable disease. 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 Information

Repeat type: Internal & External