Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology
Volledige vakbeschrijving
Molecular and genetic epidemiology are emerging innovative fields of research in which molecular, genetic and biochemical concepts and techniques are incorporated into epidemiologic studies focusing on complex diseases. This is made possible by recent rapid technological advances in high-throughput laboratory assays that measure biomarkers in biological samples. Biomarker profiles that can be used in molecular epidemiology can range from just a few targeted markers to a whole metabolome, and may include the measurement of (epi)genetic variation, gene expression, proteins, small molecules, and functional assays. Epidemiology has been proven valuable to identify associations between exposure and disease, in particular because it enables us to study long-term effects of ‘normal’ variation in exposure in populations. However, traditional epidemiology does so without obtaining information of the biological processes that underlie these associations. Molecular and genetic epidemiology have the power to open up this ‘black box’. It will not only enhance the measurement of exposure, effect, and susceptibility, it will also give insight in complex biological mechanisms, and generate novel hypotheses about disease mechanisms. This knowledge will lead to the identification of early etiologic, diagnostic, and prognostic markers of disease, it will allow us to better target preventive strategies, and will yield new leads for treatment. In this module, students will be familiarized with the different types of molecular biomarkers that can be used in epidemiological studies, including those measured with novel high-throughput –omics technologies. They will learn the pros and cons of different study designs used in molecular and genetic epidemiology, including Mendelian randomization. Students will be introduced to the knowledge that can be generated through molecular and genetic epidemiology. This course is an introductory course to a complex, but promising field of research.
Doelstellingen van dit vak
Knowledge and understanding
Elementary knowledge of and insight into molecular epidemiology:
- Basic concepts of molecular biology
- Concepts, principles and designs of studies using molecular biomarkers
- Application of –omics in molecular epidemiology
Elementary knowledge of and insight into genetics and genetic epidemiology:
- Basic concepts of genetics
- Concepts, principles and designs of studies to investigate hereditary disorders characterized by low gene frequency and high gene penetrance
- Concepts, principles and designs of population/association studies to investigate hereditary disorders characterized by low gene penetrance
- Gene-environment interactions
Applying knowledge and understanding
- Ability to read and interpret scientific articles on molecular and genetic epidemiology
- Apply the knowledge on sources of variation in molecular and genetic epidemiological studies to optimize the design of such studies
Making judgments
- Ability to judge the applicability of principles and methods of molecular and genetic epidemiology to new research themes and questions
Communication
- On the design, methodological intricacies and outcomes of epidemiological studies involving genetic and molecular biomarkers
Learning skills
- Ability to proceed to an advanced level of studying the principles of molecular and genetic epidemiology, either by means of courses or by autonomous investment