HNRS 141. Biology and Medicine in Postgenomic Era - Spring 2008

The Human Genome Project has been considered a scientific achievement comparable to that of the arrival of men to the Moon, and it was celebrated triumphantly by both the research community and the general media in 2001. So why years later a public consortium continues to report about work towards finishing it? What exactly are these other 'omics' (proteomics, functional genomics, pharmacogenomics)? Are they really having a major impact on Biology and Medicine? This course is aimed at addressing these issues at a non-specialized level.

The course will consist of lectures (on Tuesdays) introducing each 'omic' and providing background technical information, followed by discussion sessions (on Fridays) focused on current applications and limitations as well as on derived ethical issues. Technical aspects will be included only to the extent necessary to allow a productive discussion.

Major topics will include the Human Genome Project, comparative and environmental genomics, structural and functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, pharmacogenomics and metabolomics.

Students will be evaluated based on: (i) attendance and active participation in the Discussion session (demonstrating having read the mandatory material) and (ii) writing of two short (five-page, double-spaced) essays in which the potentials and limitations of one 'omic' are explained in a lay language aimed to the general public. The student would choose the topic among those of the early weeks of the course for the first essay and the later weeks for the second essay. (iii) A final essay of 10 pages will build on the other two. Final grade is weighted as participation 25%, first essay 15%, second essay 20% and final essay 40%.

There will be no required textbook. A suggested textbook is: T. Strachan & A.P. Read, Human Molecular Genetics, 3rd Edition, 2004, Garland Publishing. ISBN 0-8153-4182-2

Mandatory reading: For each week there will be 1-2 articles that the students will read for discussion during the Friday session.