BS938-7-SP-CO:
Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
16 February 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C74112 Molecular Medicine,
MSCIB099 Biomedical Science,
MSCIBA99 Biomedical Science (Including Placement Year),
MSCIBB99 Biomedical Science (Including Year Abroad)
This module aims to provide an understanding of how basic gene and protein-based technologies, as covered in the core modules on the Masters course, are applied in human medicine, with particular emphasis on relevance to the Biotechnology/Pharmaceutical industry.
The structured lectures covers the molecular basis of illustrative disease types and Biotechnological applications in diagnostics and development of therapeutics. This module will also provide a clear appreciation of likely future Biotechnological developments in the post-genomics era.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide an understanding of how basic gene and protein-based technologies, as covered in the core modules on the Masters course, are applied in human medicine, with particular emphasis on relevance to the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry.
- To provide an understanding of the molecular basis of illustrative disease types and biotechnological applications in diagnostics and development of therapeutics.
- To provide a clear appreciation of likely future Biotechnological developments in the post-genomics era.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the applications of gene and protein based technologies to human disease.
- Use illustrative examples, understand the molecular basis of human diseases of major socio-economic importance.
- Relate key developments in gene-based technology to disease diagnostics.
- Illustrate how Biotechnology research leads to the development of new therapeutics.
- Demonstrate a key range of skills including information acquisition from Web-based and library sources, self-learning, writing and presentation of scientific reports and genomics/proteomics-based problem solving.
Over the last 30 years, Biotechnology has had a major impact on human diseases of socio-economic importance. Molecular Medicine has traditionally been concerned with genetically inherited diseases. While this still represents an important part of biomedicine, molecular biology technology at both the genomics and proteomics level now impinges on infectious diseases and on other major non-infectious diseases such as cancer, heart disease and autoimmunity.
This module will be delivered via:
- Eighteen 1-hour lectures.
- Two 1-hour group discussions and presentations.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Report |
|
66.7% |
| Practical |
Oral Presentation |
|
33.3% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ralf Zwacka, email: rzwacka@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Vass Bavro, Dr Tim Barrow, Dr Ralf Zwacka, Dr Joaquin De Navascues Melero
School Graduate Office, email: bsgradtaught (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)
Yes
No
No
Dr Emma Denham
University of Bath
Senior Lecturer in Microbiology
Available via Moodle
Of 27 hours, 22 (81.5%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
5 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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