Course content

• Fundamental principles within functional genomics, emphasizing the transcriptome and proteome
• Contribution of functional genomics to systems biology and systems medicine
• Socio-ethical aspects of functional genomics in biomedicine and biotechnology, including perspectives on genetic risk information
• Hypothesis generation/experimental design
• Experimental model systems
• Next generation HTP sequenching technology
• Microarray-technology. Protein separation (2D-PAGE, 2D-LC).
• Mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF, ESI-MS)
• Protein structure analysis (X-ray chrystallography, NMR)
• Molecular imaging

Learning outcome

After completing the course MOL3007, the student shall be able to:

• describe what is meant by functional genomics and how this area of research contributes both to new basic biomedical knowledge and to new developments in biomedicine and biotechnology, including improved diagnostics and treatment of disease
• apply insights in analyses and evaluations of how functional genomics contributes to systems biology and systems medicine
• analyse and discuss the interdependence of biomedicine/biotechnology, bioinformatics and bioethics within functional genomics
• reflect on ethical and societal aspects of functional genomics translated to health care
• analyse and discuss how genetically modified organisms can contribute to functional genomics research
• explain main principles of high throughput transcriptomic and genomic analysis by state of the art sequencing and microarray technology
• explain mechanisms of gene regulation
• explain the concepts of structural motifs and domains in proteins and methods used to assess these structures
• explain main principles of central methods used in protein separation
• explain main methods for ionisation of peptides and how mass analysis of peptides and fragments thereof can be used to identify and quantify proteins and determine their post-translational modifications
• explain main principles of molecular imaging and its contribution to functional genomics research
• explain and discuss main principles of bioinformatic tools used for –omics data analysis, biological background knowledge management and modeling
• explain main methods for ionisation of peptides and how mass analysis of peptides and fragments thereof can be used to identify and quantify proteins and determine their post-translational modifications

Learning methods and activities

Seminars with active student participation according to Team Based Learning (TBL) principles, laboratory course. The seminars are held in the spring semester, and start end January/early February. The language of instruction and examination is English. Exam must be answered in English.

Compulsory assignments

• Laboratory course

Further on evaluation

Retake of exam: The student must have completed the mandatory activities and assignments to take the exam. If taken in a previous semester, this is sufficient to take the exam. Exam must be answered in English.

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic skills in molecular biology and physiology.

Credit reductions