Description
Recent advances in the field of neurogenetics have provided great insights into the cause and underlying pathogenic mechanisms of neurological disease. This module will provide students with a background in the principal mendelian diseases of the nervous system. It will then build upon this knowledge by considering the emerging and rapidly changing genetic and molecular discoveries in the study of neurological disorders. It will introduce the role of complex trait genetics and the interplay between polygenic risk inheritance and environmental factors. Finally, we will consider how genetic neurological disease can be modelled in a variety of cellular and organismal systems.
In addition to lectures, the module includes exercises and workshops (Journal Club Presentation and Grant Writing) designed to help students develop key academic skills and acquire invaluable experience for their future careers.
Indicative lecture topics (based on 2023/24 syllabus):
- Introduction to Neurogenetics
- Journal Club and Grant Writing skills
- Next Generation Sequencing and Steps to Identifying Pathogenic Mutations
- Genome Wide Association Studies
- Genetic Testing in the Neurology Clinic
- Genetics of Mitochondrial Diseases
- Genetic Causes of Parkinson’s Disease
- Epigenetics and genetics of Neurodegeneration and Dementia
- Genetics of the Epilepsies
- The Genetics of Motor Neuron Disease
- The Genetics of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease and Related Peripheral Neuropathies
- The Genetics of the Neurological Channelopathies
- Repeat Expansion Disorders and the Cerebellar Ataxias
- Unravelling Neurodegeneration in Model Systems
- Patient-derived Stem Cell Models of Neurodegeneration Ìý
- Modelling Neurodegeneration in Drosophila models
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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