General Unit Information

This unit introduces the basic genetic principles underlying modern human genetics. Topics include the identification, characterisation and mapping of human genes; the value of model organisms; the significance of the Human Genome Project; how genes function and how genetic malfunction can lead to genetic disease; how an understanding of such diseases at the molecular level may assist in diagnosis, prevention and therapy; be able to identify patterns of inheritance and gene interactions; genetic counseling and ways of calculating risk of recurrence of a genetic disease; ethical issues relevant to human genetics. Practicals include an introduction to molecular and cytogenetic techniques.

Outcomes

This unit will provide students with an understanding of human genetics as it relates to both biomedical research and clinical practice. On completion students will

• Aware of the value of model organisms in human genetic studies
• Able to outline how human genes and their functions may be identified
• Able to perform gene mapping analyses and understand the interaction of clinical genetics practice with molecular biological techniques
• Correlate the development of cancer with gene and cell regulation, mutation and development
• Be able to outline the significance of the Human Genome Project and the techniques and strategies involved
• Appreciate the ethical issues raised within modern human genetics practice
• Develop skills in the analysis and presentation of data and scientific ideas as well as skills in problem solving and self-directed learning

As a result,

• Biomedical Science students will have the background to undertake more advanced studies in genetics at third year level. including:
  • GEN3030 - Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Genetics
  • GEN3040 - Genomics and its Applications
  • GEN3051 - Medical and Forensic Genetics
  • GEN3062 - Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics
  • GEN3990 - Genetics in Action Research project
• Genome Analytics students (GNA2042) will develop foundations in the study of human genetics that can be applied to other units within the Master of Genome Analytics

Specific Unit Information