Genetics and Public Health
Code
11138
Academic unit
NOVA Medical School|Faculdade de Ciências Médicas
Department
SP
Credits
3
Teacher in charge
Prof. Doutor Luis Nunes
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Genetics is closely linked to biological processes that ensure the individuals health, or are the cause of the disease by mutation or predisposition, resulting from the interaction between genomes and environmental factors. In recent decades, the knowledge improvement of congenital abnormalities and the diagnosis of genetics disease, with the resources of the cytogenetic and molecular genetics technologies, among others, envisage possible interventions for primary and secondary prevention focused on individuals and their families. It is the field of Medical Genetics, the area of rare diseases.
The success of the Human Genome Project, ended in 2003, brought extensive knowledge about genetic variation and how this interferes with other biologics factors in the aetiology of common and complex diseases. This new phase, Genomics, has allowed new insights into the biological mechanisms of disease and the interactions that define the particular characteristics of each individual. However, there still dont exist many applications to improve health care, and the promise of personalized medicine is still nothing more, overall, than a vision of the future.
The traditional approach to Public Health values the interventions on the environment and behaviours, since there are no tools that can enhance the genetic predisposition. However, current knowledge indicates that we are facing a new health paradigm.
The modernity of hospital clinical practice is indissociable from a deep knowledge of genetics and genomics and requires a wide knowledge about genetic testing, pharmacogenomics, stratification of interventions according to the genetic profile, among other aspects.
Prerequisites
Subject matter
For the theoretical lessons:
1. Genetics and Public Health: concepts and framework in clinical
2. Genetic diseases and diseases with a genetic component in clinical practice
3. Genetic epidemiology
4. Genetic tests and applications in diagnosis and therapy
5. Genetic counseling and prevention of genetic diseases
6. Genetic resources: laboratory, informatics technology, research, etc..
7. Ethical, legal and social aspects
The 3 themes selected for theoretical-practical classes are:
1. Evaluating and communicating the genetic risk
2. Genetic diseases with late onset
3. Screening and prenatal diagnosis of genetic diaseases
The 3 themes for the seminars are:
1. Cancer and genetics
2. Cardiovascular diseases
3. Autism and behavior disorders
Bibliography
The general bibliography will be presented in first class; the specific bibliography for each class will be distributed by the respective teacher.
The bibliography for the theoretical-practical classes and seminars will be distributed in advance.
Teaching method
The pedagogical methods to be used include:
· Lectures
7 lectures with a more expository character but considering the interaction with students, covering key topics of Genetics and Public Health
· Practical lessons
3 practical classes to workout with concrete clinical cases
· Seminars
3 seminars on common diseases with a genetic predisposition in clinical practice, to integrate knowledge
Evaluation method
Assessment of students takes place throughout the teaching module and considering the following activities.
- Participation in two thirds of the class activity.
- Continuous assessment of students.
- Final written work, performed individually over a subject raffled on the first class of the course, from a list of topics selected by teaching staff
- The written work should be submitted electronically, by e-mail to the DUSP secretariat and to the Unit regent, until 16 hours on the last day of the course
- Students may consult the evaluation of the written work within the 48 hours following the posting of the results; the intention of consulting the test must be manifested by mail to the Department secretariat.
Continuous evaluation accounts for 30% of the course grade.