MABIO4410 Genomic Analysis Course description

The course discusses theoretical and practical aspects of modern DNA technology applied to detect genetic variation in the human genome (DNA), including NGS methods and analysis of NSG data. It provides knowledge about both normal variation and variation relating to predisposition for diseases. The laboratory part comprises a practical introduction to PCR method, DNA sequence analysis, DNA fragment analysis, and quantitative PCR (qPCR, analysis of gene expression). The practical part includes exercises using basic bioinformatics tools (e.g. BLAST) for the analysis of DNA and RNA sequence data. Students will also be introduced to important databases such as GenBank.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• understands and is capable of explaining a range of biochemical and cellular biological methods, their possibilities and limitations
• understands the term proteomics, the principle behind selected analytical methods and their applications
• can describe different advanced microscopy techniques, principles and areas of application
• understands the principle behind different methods of preparation of transgenic animals, and can explain the laws and regulations that regulate the production of such animals

Skills

The student

• can assess the suitability of selected biochemical and cell biological methods and their strengths and weaknesses in an independent manner
• can use and critically interpret results from selected methods in the field of biochemistry and cell biology in an independent manner
• can conduct bio-informatic searches in web-based sequence databases
• can present research results in a scientific manner

General competence

The student

• can critically assess relevant methods in biomedical research and diagnostics
• can design an experiment in biochemistry and cell biology

The work and teaching methods used include lectures, student presentations, seminars and skills training in the form of laboratory work. Digital learning resources will be made available to students in advance and some of the teaching will be organised as flipped classroom.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• attendance at the course introduction
• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars
• minimum attendance of 80% at laboratory courses
• individual lab report based on specified criteria.

Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes.

The exam can be taken in English or a Scandinavian language.

Simple handheld calculator.

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum for every third ordinary examination. If selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 10 answers. The external examiner’s assessment shall form the basis for the assessment of the remaining answers.

• The course builds on MABIO4110 or the equivalent.
• Basic technical laboratory skills in methods in biochemistry and cell biology at bachelor’s degree level.

10 credits overlap with MABIO4200 Biochemical and Cell Biological Methods.

10 credits overlap with MABIO4400 Genomic Analysis.