MF9390 – Epigenetics, development and disease.

Course description

• Course content
• Learning outcome
• Admission
• Prerequisites

• Teaching
• Examination
• Evaluation

Course content

This is a 40 hour course consisting of formal lectures on epigenetics and stem cells, guest lectures on specific issues relating to epigenetics, lunch research seminars by the guest lecturers, group work and practical courses. The Objective of the course is to introduce the concept of epigenetics as a key mechanism of regulation of gene expression steering development and cell fate, and which can be affected in disease. The course will require a significant amount of personal work in addition.

Learning outcome

1. A thorough understanding of epigenetics and its importance in gene regulation and disease
2. Acquisition of global theoretical and practical concepts around analysis of DNA methylation and histone modifications
3. A practical hands-on experience in performing a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay - one of the mostly used assays in any laboratory working on gene regulation.
4. Training in synthesizing and presenting a research article in the field of epigenetics

Admission

Ph.D. candidates and students at the Medical Student Research Programme will get first priority to the course. Maximum number of participants is 20.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Cell biology, molecular biology

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic mechanisms of regulation of gene expression

Teaching

This is a 40 hour course consisting of formal lectures (~8 h), 3 guest lectures (2 h each), 3 lunch research seminars, group work (journal club and practical work), and a practical course on chromatin immunoprecipitation.

NB! You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be able to pass the course. Attendance at lectures will be registered.

Examination

Examination will be a pass/fail. There will be no formal examination. Rather, evaluation will include registered obligatory participation in all lectures, seminars, group work and lab work, quality of journal club presentation, success in solving the practical problem paused, and knowledge shown on the course topic through questions asked throughout the course, in particular during the practical work.

Explanations and appeals

• Explanation of grades and appeals

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.