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Description
Human Genetics has undergone a tremendous expansion in recent years, in no small measure due to a wide- ranging technological revolution. Results from this research are having a dramatic impact across a range of disciplines, including medicine, biology, anthropology and forensics.
This module introduces the basic principles underlying modern human genetics research through a combination of lectures presenting theoretical principles, practical exercises allowing you to apply these principles, and more research-focused lectures providing illustrative case-studies.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the approaches currently used identify genetic factors in health and disease. You will become familiar with concepts and methods such as complex traits, population studies, Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and high through-put genome analysis.
Case studies will include the genetic basis of cancer, selected cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, as well as genetic predisposition/resistance to infectious diseases. Four practical sessions provide some hands-on exposure to the methodology presented in the lectures.
Learning Objectives
The aim of the module is to provide a broad understanding of modern human genetics, including in its historical and ethical dimensions. Specifically, students will be provided with the necessary material and tools to develop a deep understanding of the following aspects of human genetics.
- History of human genetics
- Understanding the human genome
- Global human genetic variation and its geographic apportionment
- The genetic basis of Mendelian disorders The genetic basis of Complex Disorders
- Human genetic variation in health and disease Predicting phenotypes from human genomic data Ethics of human genetics and genetic diagnostics
Indicative lecture topics 鈥� based on module content in 2022/23
- Genes, genomes and phenotypes Linkage Mapping
- Rare diseases and personalised medicine
- Association Studies
- Human population Structure Psychiatric diseases
- Cancer Genetics
- Insights from Ancient DNA Genetics of Infectious Diseases
- Microbiomes in Health and Disease
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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