Precision Medicine Master of Science

This introductory course presents basic aspects of genetics, genomics, and molecular biology, including DNA variation and mutation. It also covers a range of common analytical techniques for nucleic acids and proteins. Important elements of chromosomal structure are explored as well as concepts related to genetic testing and gene therapy. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding genomic and other ‘omics concepts relevant to completing the remaining required core and elective courses.

This course explores the genetic underpinnings of both monogenic and complex diseases. Dominant versus recessive autosomal diseases as well as X-linked, mitochondrial, and cytogenetic diseases are covered. Evolutionary and population genetics are discussed, and methods for studying complex diseases are introduced. Students completing this course will demonstrate a working knowledge of the genetics of monogenic and complex diseases, and an understanding of the relevant analytical methods.

Obtaining patient ‘omics data is a first step in precision medicine. Subsequent computational and analytical methods are required to decipher these data. This course focuses on the analysis of ‘omics data sets using bioinformatics and statistical tools. Students are introduced to the use of open access software to analyze provided data sets and learn to interpret the results. The objective of this course is to provide students with the basic skills needed to work with and derive valuable information from complex data sets produced by ‘omics analyses.

This course builds on the use of genomics in medicine by extending knowledge into areas that complement genomics, such as transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Students explore how these ‘omics fields can be used in biomarker discovery and health management. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain broadly what is meant by ‘omics analyses, describe the technologies involved, and display a specific comprehension of the source and uses of the various biomarkers in medicine.

This course explores genetic and other molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development and progression, including assessment of the genomes and transcriptomes of tumor cells as well as the patient’s normal cells. Students examine how this knowledge translates into precision technologies for cancer screening, as well as diagnosing and treating cancer patients. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of the genetic origins and development of cancer, the methods of assessing what is occurring in cancerous cells, and a basic understanding of how knowledge gained from analyses can be used to benefit patients.

This course presents the ways in which genomic information can be used to ensure that patients receive the greatest possible benefit from therapeutics while mitigating risk of adverse events. Students will explore how genetic variation may alter drug metabolism, disposition, and action, as well as discuss how doses may need to be tailored, or drugs altered to account for certain polymorphic differences. Students successfully completing this course will demonstrate a working knowledge of the interaction between a patient's genetic structure and the safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs. 

This course provides information on basic features of microbial genetics that are relevant to health. It covers what is known about the effects of an individual’s microbiome on their health, the consequences of dysbiosis, and the effects of the microbiome on patient treatment, including metabolism of therapeutics. Methods for studying and assessing an individual’s microbiome, or microbiome features of various subject groups are discussed. This course also explores the role of ‘omics information from both patients and infecting microbes in the identification, targeted treatment, and control of infectious diseases in individuals and on a population basis. After successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of health-relevant microbial genetics, will be able to describe the role of the microbiome in health, and will comprehend the usefulness of ‘omics technologies in the management of infectious diseases.

This course examines the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of precision medicine technology, and particularly the potential misuse of genomic information, privacy, ownership of genetic information, open versus informed consent, and accessibility. It also addresses social issues that have developed or may develop in the future as a result of these types of genomic knowledge. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe existing and potential future ethical, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of precision medicine technologies.

This course considers how to effectively communicate genomic or other ‘omics information to patients. Students learn how to tailor complex genomic discussions to a lay audience, become aware of how the information provided may be viewed by patients or their families, and consider how to counsel them about this information to enable patient-centric, optimal health decisions. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate familiarity with both the sensitive issues that arise when using precision medicine technologies and with methods that can be used for effectively communicating that information to patients and their families.

This course introduces students to the analytical methods needed for a genetic evaluation of an anonymized human genomic provided by the instructors. This genome analysis knowledge is ultimately used to complete a Capstone Project (PMMS 607). The objective of this course is for students to become familiar with the format in which a sequenced genome is provided and demonstrate the ability to use publicly available software to manipulate that genome sequence and search for the presence of health-related genetic variants.

In this course, students use the knowledge and skills acquired in previous required courses, particularly in PMMSG 606, to make a health-focused assessment of an anonymized human genome provided to them by the instructors. Students concentrate on identifying gene variants associated directly with genetic diseases or with increased risk for diseases, and evaluating the consequences of those gene variants. This course culminates in a written report of the findings and a formal presentation. The objective of this course is for students to demonstrate competence in basic genome analysis and assessment of genetic risk alleles.

This course explores genetic/genomic influences on the development of autoimmune diseases and other diseases with inflammatory components. Students discuss the use of biomarker studies for both increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and for identifying proteins and metabolites that may provide insight into the causes of these disorders. Students successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the genetic underpinnings of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and be able to explain how biomarker studies can be used to improve patient outcomes.

This course examines the genetic underpinnings of common neurological disorders, neurogenetic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Students study how genomics can be used to identify genes that are directly involved in neurological disorders or that confer significant risk of developing a disorder. Students discuss how that information is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and development of novel therapeutics. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the role that gene variants and mutations play in the development of neurological diseases and describe how that information can be used to support effective patient treatment and care.

This course covers polymorphisms related to cardiovascular disease, including genes that contribute to the development of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Students review how these genetic risk factors were identified and linked to cardiovascular disease. They also learn about the interplay of lifestyle factors with genetic risk factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. Students completing this course will demonstrate an understanding of gene variants involved in increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and be able to describe the role that lifestyle choices play in development of cardiovascular disease.

This advanced topics course provides an in-depth knowledge of the clinical applications of pharmacogenomics. Students deepen their understanding of how genetic differences impact drug therapy. Students view recorded lectures presented by experts on disease-specific topics and also read assigned papers relevant to those topics. Assessment is based on completion of worksheets. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate a broad understanding of the current and potential clinical applications of pharmacogenomics.

This course focuses on how knowledge of the genomics, health, and environment of one species can be used to effectively develop targeted treatments for other species. It addresses the global interrelatedness of the health of all species and how One Health-based studies can help to develop solutions for human and animal health issues and inform public policy. Students successfully completing this course will be able to describe the uses and practicality of the One Health approach to supporting animal and human health, as well as the health of the environment.

This course examines the importance of gene expression alterations on the health of individuals and populations. Topics include the mechanisms controlling gene expression, such as epigenetics, variation, and three-dimensional nuclear structure, and how these changes contribute to complex disease. Students also examine how advances in these areas can be used to improve health. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the role that gene expression changes play in health and disease, as well as being able to describe the factors that influence gene expression.

This course dives into the mechanisms of several genetic manipulation technologies with specific emphasis on their applicability to treat several classes of human genetic disorders. Students will also be exposed to the potential health risks and ethical issues associated with these technologies. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate knowledge of these current technologies, as well as several new methods and how they can be applied to specific types of human genetic disease as well as describe the potential pitfalls and ethical quagmires surrounding their use.

This course engages students in surveys and in-depth evaluations of the precision medicine scientific literature. Seminal papers in the development of ‘omic and precision medicine technologies, as well as recent publications, are critically reviewed. The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how the various ‘omics fields developed and to assist them with learning to evaluate and properly understand scientific literature.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is in widespread use for both tracing ancestry and for identification of disease risk alleles. The purpose of this course is to help students understand the various types of tests available and recognize what types of information they provide. Students will learn how to assist their patients in interpreting and applying the results of risk allele testing to achieve better health outcomes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the various formats in which direct-to-consumer genetic testing results are provided, will be able to describe how to appropriately evaluate the information provided, and will be able to help the patient make decisions or find resources that will help them make the best use of the genetic information they receive.

This independent study course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore topics of didactic and/or clinical interest as needed to enhance the student's learning.