Targeting and measuring disease (P02358)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-MED

This course describes the spectrum of clinical, scientific and societal metrics and measurements required in Translational Medicine research for the identification and definition of disease systems at various levels. The critical requirement for integrating knowledge from diverse scientific, clinical and epidemiological measurements in order to better understand disease complexity will be covered. The relevance of this approach to enhance the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies will be explained. Examples of the key types of scientific and clinical measurements, ranging from molecular to epidemiological, will be given, and examples of their integration to provide improved understanding of disease systems will be provided. There will also be coverage of experimental design and analysis of experimental and clinical investigation strategies. The role of emerging genomic, proteomic and cellular and imaging technologies and their relation to translational research will be given. Linked to this, will be coverage of clinical and physiological measurements important in translational research. The important role of biomarkers for experimental and patient-oriented aspects of disease research and drug discovery and development will be given. Finally, the increasing importance of computational and IT systems for the storage, handling and integration of scientific and clinical data will be demonstrated.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : None other than the programme entry requirements

? Co-requisites : All students registered for Certificate in Translational Medicine MUST do this core course.

? Special Arrangements for Entry : All courses will be delivered by distance learning, using WebCT as the delivery platform. Registered students are provided with a user name and password that allows them to access a protected course web site. The website provides a variety of educational material and supports a range of approaches by the students to the material provided. Online delivery will be supported through the provision of video cassettes and interactive multimedia tutorials and discussions with peers and tutors. The website also houses a number of interactive tutorials that allow students to work with information in a self-paced manner to test their understanding of important concepts and principles.

Study guides with lecture notes are available, either to be read on screen or printed by the students for private use. Selected readings from relevant journals and textbooks are also provided. A CD ROM of the course readings is mailed to each student at the beginning of the year.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Translational Medicine, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Additional Class Information : The course will be delivered by distance learning, using WebCT as the delivery platform. The total workload (including self-directed study) for the course will be approximately 100 hours.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The Certificate will provide participants with an in depth understanding of the rationale and impact of Translational Medicine and appreciation of its increasingly important role to medical research, the drug development industry and regulatory sectors. The multidisciplinary, integrative and interactive nature of Translational Medicine will be highlighted and understanding of its relevance and impact to scientific, medical and societal sectors will be gained. Participants will thereby gain a sound understanding of the essential elements of translational Medicine, equipping them to engage further in this rapidly evolving field. Consequently, the Certificate will have relevance to clinicians and scientists engaged in academic and industrial research as well as to those in allied healthcare and regulatory sectors.