Module Specification |
| The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module. |
| Title | Molecular Medicine | ||
| Code | LIFE306 | ||
| Coordinator |
Dr MJ Fisher Biochemistry Fishermj@liverpool.ac.uk |
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| Year | CATS Level | Semester | CATS Value |
| Session 2016-17 | Level 6 FHEQ | Second Semester | 15 |
Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements): |
| LIFE202 None |
Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite: |
Co-requisite modules: |
Linked Modules: |
Teaching Schedule |
| Lectures | Seminars | Tutorials | Lab Practicals | Fieldwork Placement | Other | TOTAL | |
| Study Hours |
24 This refers to timetabled lectures in which key concepts are introduced |
3 This refers to three problem-solving workshops |
27 | ||||
| Timetable (if known) | |||||||
| Private Study | 123 | ||||||
| TOTAL HOURS | 150 | ||||||
Assessment |
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| EXAM | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| Unseen Written Exam | 120 | Semester 2 | 80 | Yes | Written Examination | |
| CONTINUOUS | Duration | Timing (Semester) |
% of final mark |
Resit/resubmission opportunity |
Penalty for late submission |
Notes |
| Coursework | 1000 words | Semester 2 | 20 | Yes | Standard UoL penalty applies | Continuous Assessment Notes (applying to all assessments) Coursework will be problem-solving questions and short answer questions. |
Aims |
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To describe to students the application of molecular and computational approaches in the study and treatment of human disease To use selected topics, such as regenerative medicine and the extracellular matrix, to describe specific disease processes
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Learning Outcomes |
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To critically evaluate the usefulness of genotypic and phenotypic approaches to screening in a post-genomic context |
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To appraise the latest developments in post-genomic science and computational biology for the development of medications and drugs |
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To analyse our current understanding of stem cell therapeutics |
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To evaluate the role of the extracellular matrix and its components in a number of key disease processes and their treatment
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Teaching and Learning Strategies |
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Lecture - This refers to timetabled lectures in which key concepts are introduced |
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Workshop - This refers to three problem-solving workshops |
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Syllabus |
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| 1 |
Inherited disorders - phenotypic and genotypic screening approaches and personalised medicine. Phenylketonuria and the structure/function of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Muscular dystrophy and dystrophin.
Post-genomic medicine – genome identification and infection, genomes and rational vaccine designs, Genome ‘inspired’ medication. Genome variation and patient responses.
Workshop 1 – Bioinformatic analysis of PKU mutations
Computational approaches to drug discovery - good drug targets,
BLAST searching for targets, broad and narrow spectrum drugs.
Metabolic (and signalling) pathway modelling and target identification.
Structure and druggability and ligand-based
drug design.
Workshop 2 – computational approaches to drug design
Stem cell therapeutics - What are stem cells? Embryoni
c and adult stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, skin cells. Stem cells and regenerative medicine. Examples from cardiac and renal disease, Parkinson''s disease, diabetes, muscular dystrophy and cancer.
The extracellular matrix in health and disease - N- and O-linked glycosylation, blood group antigens, xenotransplantation and recombinant therapeutics. Glycans in infectious disease and inflammation.
Proteoglycan metabolism in health and disease. Anticoagulant heparin and novel therapeutics.
Workshop 3 – Glycan therapeutics - past present and future. Module content will be delivered primarily via lectures that will be accompanied by suitable lecture handouts (available on VITAL) and supported by three class workshops. For independent study, students will be guided to textbooks, but mainly to specific reviews of source literature, copies of which will be made available in the library for use by the students. At intervals (approx. every 3-4 week) during the module, opportunities will exist for students to self-evaluate their understanding of the content via formative online tests with automated electronic feedback on VITAL.
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Recommended Texts |
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Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module. Explanation of Reading List: Students will be directed to current research literature. Hancock, J. T. (2010) Cell Signalling (Third Edition) Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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