Genomic and Precision Medicine

About this course: Precision medicine has the potential to change fundamentally how health care is practiced, but requires a health care workforce that understands the complexities of this field. One important component of Precision Medicine is the use of an individual’s genomic information to offer targeted treatment, tailored to the individual. Our course aims to provide participants with some baseline knowledge of genomics, an overview of the clinical applications of genomic medicine, the skills to evaluate the clinical validity and utility of new tests, and an appreciation of the associated ethical and social issues inherent in this field. The course is geared toward practicing health care providers, although it should be accessible to anyone with a background in the biological sciences and a basic understanding of genetics. It is designed to be succinct and clinically-focused, offering both conceptual and practical information about real-world applications of genomics. Two lessons offer a basic primer on molecular genomics relevant to the individual patient as well as to patient populations. The remaining five lessons focus on five applications of genomics and present the material as case studies, highlighting the strengths, limitations, and issues that arise in the use of each test.

Created by:  University of California, San Francisco

• Taught by:  Jeanette McCarthy, MPH, PhD , Adjunct Associate Professor

  UCSF Department of Medicine

• Taught by:  Robert L. Nussbaum, MD, Chief and Professor of Medicine

  Division of Genomic Medicine

Level Intermediate Commitment Approximately two hours per week: Lectures: 60 min., Assessments: 30 min., Reading: 30 min. Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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University of California, San Francisco The University of California, San Francisco, is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and high-quality patient care. UC San Francisco is the only campus in the University of California system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. UCSF's innovative, collaborative approaches for health care, research and education span disciplines across the health sciences and make it a world leader in scientific discovery and its translation into improved health.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Week 1
This week you will learn foundational concepts about the structure and function of the human genome and different types of genetic and non-genetic variation that occur.


5 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Week 1 - Introduction and Module 1: The Structure of the Human Genome and How Things Work
2. Video: Week 1 - Module 2: Human Genetic Variation — Structural Variants
3. Video: Week 1 - Module 3: Human Genetic Variation — Single Nucleotide Variants
4. Video: Week 1 - Module 4: Consequences of Single Nucleotide Variants in Genes
5. Video: Week 1 - Module 5: Architecture of Human Genetic Variation
6. Reading: Suggested Readings

Graded: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2


Week 2
This week, Drs. Nussbaum and Norton will describe the use of genomics in the reproductive setting: carrier testing, non-invasive prenatal screening, prenatal diagnosis of Mendelian diseases, and newborn screening.


5 videos expand

1. Video: Week 2 - Module 1: Background and Mendelian Inheritance of Disease
2. Video: Week 2 - Module 2: Genetic Testing for Mendelian Diseases
3. Video: Week 2 - Module 3: Newborn Screening
4. Video: Week 2 - Module 4: Carrier Testing
5. Video: Week 2 - Supplemental Video - Prenatal Diagnosis

Graded: Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3


Week 3
This week Dr. Nussbaum will review the use of next-generation sequencing for solving diagnostic dilemmas.


4 videos expand

1. Video: Week 3 - Module 1: Whole Genome Analysis
2. Video: Week 3 - Module 2: Clinical Interpretation of Variants
3. Video: Week 3 - Module 3: Using NGS for Diagnostic Dilemmas
4. Video: Week 3 - Module 4: Practical Aspects

Graded: Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4


Week 4
This week we will explore the genetics of common, complex diseases and the population genetics methods used to uncover genetic associations.


5 videos expand

1. Video: Week 4 - Module 1: Background
2. Video: Week 4 - Module 2: Genome-Wide Association Study Methods
3. Video: Week 4 - Module 3: Genome-Wide Association Study — Analysis
4. Video: Week 4 - Module 4: Genome-Wide Association Study — Interpretation
5. Video: Week 4 - Module 5: What Do We Know About the Genetics of Common, Complex Diseases?

Graded: Week 4 Quiz

WEEK 5


Week 5
This week Dr. Mendelsohn joins me to roll play some scenarios to teach you about predictive tests for common, complex diseases and direct-to-consumer testing.


4 videos expand

1. Video: Week 5 - Module 1: Background, Analytic and Clinical Validity
2. Video: Week 5 - Module 2: Case Scenario - Coronary Artery Disease Example
3. Video: Week 5 - Module 3: Case Scenario - Diabetes Example
4. Video: Week 5 - Module 4: Case Scenario - Alzheimer's Example

Graded: Week 5 Quiz

WEEK 6


Week 6
This week we discuss pharmacogenomic testing for drug selection, dosing and predicting adverse effects of commonly prescribed drugs.


4 videos expand

1. Video: Week 6 - Module 1: Background — Genetic Factors Affecting Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
2. Video: Week 6 - Module 2: What Pharmacogenic Tests are Available?
3. Video: Week 6 - Module 3: Is My Patient a Candidate for Pharmacogenomic Testing?
4. Video: Week 6 - Module 4: Where to Get Testing Done and How to Interpret the Results?

Graded: Week 6 Quiz

WEEK 7


Week 7
Our final lecture explores tumor profiling for targeting cancer treatment and the use of blood-based gene expression profiles in cancer prognosis.


4 videos expand

1. Video: Module 1: Background and Cancer Biology
2. Video: Module 2: Hereditary Cancer
3. Video: Module 3: Tumor Genetic Landscape
4. Video: Module 4: Clinical Applications — Prognosis and Treatment Response

Graded: Week 7 Quiz