Genomic Medicine

This course provides a deep understanding of the genetic and molecular basics of human health, including diseases and the impact of environmental factors on well-being. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and biocomputing, coupled with innovative genome editing and molecular therapeutic technologies, enabled unprecedented capabilities to monitor health, identify molecular drivers and treat human diseases with critical effects on quality of life and economy. Advanced analytical technologies drive the development of personalised therapeutic approaches to treat disease, guiding therapeutic decisions and treatment selection based on the specific biomolecular background of the patients. Using a range of specific diseases or inheritance processes as examples, lecturers will introduce their own research and will provide examples of specific diseases, their underlying mechanisms or inheritance processes. This course will examine how genetic and genomic technologies and translational research can be applied to elucidate the disease mechanisms and develop novel therapies. The course will cover contemporary and advanced concepts in human genetics and will expand on gene expression control, genome evolution, gene-environment interactions, mutation prediction and genome editing in application to medical problems. The course is delivered by biomedical scientists working at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, and the topics incorporate their specific research interests and in-depth expertise, providing a unique opportunity to directly connect to the research performed in the top biomedical research groups. You will learn about: - Disorders and diseases affecting blood, reproductive, endocrine and neurological systems at the molecular level. - Gene expression pathways and molecular control mechanisms invoked in inherited or acquired disorders and upon environmental pressures. - Genomic analysis tools including next-generation sequencing approaches and methods of genome editing and non-invasive gene therapy. - Biomolecular and computational approaches to diagnosing and treating disease. Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.