MF9195 – OMICs in medical research

Course content

The purpose of the course is to introduce the use of various Omics technologies, which aim to collectively characterize pools of biological molecules in a single experiment. The focus is Omics technologies in medical research today and tomorrow. The understanding of strengths and limitation of Omics technologies is fundamental for the selection of appropriate analyses and for the interpretation of results obtained.

The course will be based on selected clinical problems and present different experimental strategies, including a description on the principles behind the methods. The strengths and weaknesses of each technology will be discussed with a focus on the decisions that guide the choice of an experimental strategy. Hands on sessions in computational data analyses are included in order to train in performing experiments in given technologies.

The candidate will learn about selected Omics technologies and their strengths and limitations. The candidate will also learn underlying principles of these technologies and how to critically judge the robustness of the Omics data.

Learning outcome

Knowledge
This course will give you knowledge about:

  • Overview of genome variation in the population including technologies to detect these
  • Understanding how High-throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) can be used to identify disease causing genetic variants in monogenic diseases
  • Understanding how GWAS can detect disease associated markers in multifactorial diseases
  • Understanding how HTS technologies can be used to explore changes in gene expression
  • Understanding how mass-spectrometry (MS) analyses can be used in quantitative and qualitative proteomics experiments
  • Understanding how Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses can be used in metabolomics experiments
  • Understanding principles behind basic data analysis tasks in Omics, and the integration of Omics data
  • Application of various Omics technologies
  • Critical selection of Methods
  • Understanding how metagenomics can be used to explore the gut microbiome
  • Understanding principles behind high content imaging
  • Understanding principles behind brain connectomics

Admission

How to apply:

  • PhD candidates admitted to a PhD programme at UiO apply in StudentWeb
  • Applicants who are not admitted to a PhD programme at UiO must apply for a right to study PhD courses in medicine and health sciences in S?knadsWeb before they can apply for this course. External applicants should apply for a right to study minimum 3 weeks before the course application deadline. See information about how to apply for at right to study and how to apply for PhD courses here: How external applicants can apply for elective PhD courses in medicine and health sciences.

Reply to course application:

  • This course has registration type Automatic reply.
  • Applicants to a course with registration type automatic reply, will upon registration immediately receive a reply in StudentWeb as to whether the application is granted, the course is full, or if the applicant do not meet the formal prerequisite knowledge. Applicants will be put on a waiting list if the course is full.  

Teaching

The course will run for 5 full days and mainly based on lectures supplemented with hands on training on computers.

Teaching is mainly by lectures. There will also be group work with hands on training in a PC room focusing on analysis of genomics and proteomics data.

You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance will be registered.

Examination

The written home exam will have to be submitted two weeks after the course.

The exam paper is in English. It is optional for the candidate to answer the exam in Norwegian or English

Submit assignments in Inspera

You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.

Use of sources and citation

You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Facts about this course

Credits
5
Level
PhD
Teaching
Every spring

Teaching spring 2024:  6.5 - 8.5 and 13.5 - 14.5.   Application period: 1.12.2023 - 1.4.2024.

Course registration:  See information on how to apply in the section "Admission" in the course description below.

Examination
Every spring
Teaching language
English