Omics for Biomedical Research

Description

The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the ‘state-of-the-art’ omics approaches used in biomedical research and to demonstrate how omics technologies have led to identification of novel biomarkers that will enable a future medical need for personalised/stratified medicine. 
During this module the students will cover the following topics:

1. Introduction to 'omic' technologies 
2. Genomics 
3. Transcriptomics 
4. Epigenomics 
5. Proteomics 
6. Metabolomics 
7. Integration of multi-omics data 

Standard lecture formats will be used to introduce the students to various omics approaches and technologies and will include research-led teaching tutorials from leading experts to discuss current leading research. Furthermore, students will be presented with a series of assessed case studies focusing on several omics-based approaches to achieve a better understanding of how omics technologies are applied to specific areas of research. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to answer specific scientific questions using appropriate omics technologies in a series of assessed computer based workshops. This will provide the students with first-hand experience of learning about the multiple steps (e.g. experimental design, experimental step, data analysis and interpretation) involved in using omics platforms in research.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Compare and critically evaluate a range of cutting edge omics technologies and platforms and assess their application to biomedical research
  • Apply the knowledge they have gain throughout the course to critically compare different technologies and choose the most appropriate tools to answer specific biological questions
  • Critically evaluate the criteria of a great experimental design for different omics technologies and formulate an ideal omics experiment
  • Select and apply appropriate resources for analysis, visualisation and interpretation of omics data

Assessment

Four short reports (1000 words) of the workshop sessions.
1 recorded PowerPoint presentation
Interaction in three Case studies during research seminars