Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics MSc

During this module you will examine the ways in which DNA and protein sequences are used to investigate evolutionary relationships among organisms. You will study topics including the techniques of sequence comparison and the construction of evolutionary trees.

You will gain an understanding of how to plan, prepare and execute research in the field of molecular biology, microbiology immunology and genetics. As well as learning how to manage the various stages of research projects, you will gain experience presenting research data and preparing publications. This module will also enhance your ability to critically assess published literature and analyse data.

During the molecular biology practical laboratory sessions, you will gain experience of standard techniques related to laboratory research in the fields of immunology, microbiology, and genetics. From this you will appreciate the workflow of gene cloning, followed by sequence analysis of genes and their variability, as well as cloning and expression of recombinant proteins. This will be supported by online provision of podcasts describing the theory and practice of each laboratory component, as well as videos and animations describing the details of laboratory practice. 

Study modern ideas surrounding tumourigenesis and tumour progression. The first part of the course covers our current understanding of the molecular basis of tumour progression. Following lectures will focus both on research into the fundamentals of cancer biology and the biochemical basis for the treatment of patients with cancer.

This module covers some of the more modern ideas surrounding tumourigenesis and tumour progression. The first part of the course will cover our current understanding of the molecular basis of tumour progression. Following lectures will focus both on research into the fundamentals of cancer biology and the biochemical basis for the treatment of patients with cancer. The following features will be included:

1. The role of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in normal and tumour cells.
2. Multistep tumourigenesis and the hallmarks of cancer.
3. Cancer cell invasion and metastasis.
4. Genome instability.
5. Cancer stem cells.
6. The tumour microenvironment.
7. Cancer research.
8. Cancer therapy.

The aim of this course is to expand the student’s knowledge of how cancer cells form, how they metastasise and explain and discuss how cancer research is undertaken and current approaches to cancer treatments.

On this module, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the application of molecular diagnostic techniques in the health service including: genetic counselling, molecular clinical genetics, cytogenetics, population screening and cellular pathology.

You will also explore the factors to be considered for setting up a molecular diagnostic laboratory as well as appreciating the ethical considerations to genetic counselling and genetic screening.

Through lectures and workshops in the spring semester, you will receive training in key skills in bioinformatics. You will work their way through a series of exercises designed to provide experience of the common bioinformatics techniques and challenges presented by large datasets, both of which characterise many fields of modern biological research. In the final workshops you are given individual research projects. Using the skills acquired during the module, students undertake an independent bioinformatic analysis and write a short report describing their results.

The primary focus will be on Mendelian pattern of inheritance; genetic models of complex disease and population genetics; epigenetic processes and the relationship between (epi)genomics and expression of disease.

This module covers molecular human molecular genetics and epigenetics and relationships with disease. The primarily focus will be on Mendelian pattern of inheritance; genetic models of complex disease and population genetics; epigenetic processes and the relationship between (epi)genomics and expression of disease. The lectures will cover clinical features of selected diseases and their genetic and molecular basis. The workshops will provide experience in using genomic tools and opportunities to discuss the concepts underlying disease and modes of inheritance, and, the identification of predisposing genes in human disorders.

The content will be blended with online asynchronous, synchronous and face to face teaching. The following topics will be addressed:

• Modes of inheritance
• Pedigree analysis
• Identifying disease genes
• Mutations and functional genomics
• Genotype-phenotype relationships
• Population genetics
• Epigenetic processes and diseases
• Protein modifications
• Assessment details- poster
• Poster presentation

This module provides an extensive overview of the current technology and molecular techniques used in molecular biology research of human diseases, and explores the possible implications of such methods.

This module provides an extensive overview of the current technology and molecular techniques used in molecular biology research of human diseases, and explores the possible implications of such methods.

This module will use several genetic regulatory systems to illustrate the control and activity of key virulence factors in representative bacterial and viral pathogens as well as considering the tools used for diagnosis and monitoring infectious diseases.

This module will use several genetic regulatory systems to illustrate the control and activity of key virulence factors in representative bacterial and viral pathogens as well as considering the tools used for diagnosis and monitoring infectious diseases.

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the molecular genetic systems which underpin virulence in bacterial and viral pathogens. You're encouraged to consider disease from both the human and pathogen perspective throughout. This will be achieved through lectures and problem based learning sessions.

You will design and execute a research programme performing experiments, surveys, analysing data and undertaking other research activities aimed at solving a specific biomedical problem in immunology or immunotherapeutics.

The form of project may vary from laboratory-based work, bioinformatics, or extended literature reviews, depending on the expertise of your project supervisor.  As well as gaining the technical and project management skills required for contemporary research, you will develop the ability to write scientific texts through producing a dissertation based on your research findings.

This report is discussed with academic staff during an oral examination.