BIOMG 1290 - Personal Genomics And Medicine -- Why Should You Care About What’s In Your Genes?
Spring 2014. 3 credits. Letter Grade.
Prerequisite: None. Targeted to freshman and sophomores from all disciplines.
Instructor: Dr. Charles F. Aquadro (Prof, MBG)
MWF 11:15 am -12:05 pm (Lectures MW, Small Group Discussion on F). 233 Plant Science (Lectures), Discussions every Friday 11:15am - 12:05 pm in locations TBA, run by undergraduate study group leaders.
Do you have allergies to milk or wheat? Curious about your family ancestry? Does a relative suffer from a genetic disease, and you wonder if you might also be at risk? How will medicine be impacted by DNA testing? How will your own future, your quality of life, your decisions regarding children be impacted? What are the ethical, legal, and social challenges we all face as this genetic technology becomes rapidly available to anyone with as little as $99 and a saliva sample? (you'll have an opportunity to sequence a small region of your genome and use it to make some genetic ancestry inferences as part of this class).
This course is not just for those interested in science, it is a topic we all need to have a basic understanding of to ensure we are prepared for what is rapidly becoming part of all of our futures.
Grading: Two take-home prelims (30 pts each), several short writing assignments and Discussion section participation (10 pts), and a take-home final (30 pts) for 100 pt total. Participation in class and discussion sections is really important, and will be important in your grade.
Learning Objectives for BioMG 1250 Personal Genomics and Medicine To gain a basic knowledge of core concepts and methods in genomics, statistics, anthropology, law and social sciences which are relevant to genetic testing for ancestry and medical inference and diagnosis. To be able to discuss intelligently the ethical, legal and social implication (ELSI) challenges and debates regarding the growing use of genetics in medicine. To be able to critically read, interpret, evaluate and discuss new scientific as well as ELSI findings and debates regarding personal genomics and medicine. To gain an understanding of and appreciation for the diverse views that people have concerning the application of genetic testing to their life choices and views of their own racial/ethnic/social identity.
Textbook (Required Reading): Collins, Francis S. 2010. The Language of Life, DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine. HarperCollins, New York BioMG1290: Personal Genomics and Medicine Spring 2014 updated 4-6-2014 Charles F. Aquadro, Dept Molec Biol & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Tentative Lecture and Discussion Syllabus
1 1/22 M Course intro: why care about your genome? 1/24 F Discussion: Steve Pinker NY Times article 2 1/27 M What’s DNA, and Genomics and Ancestry terms and concepts 3 1/29 W Instead of class, watch Cornell Genetic Ancestry Project Reveal Event video on YouTube 1/31 F Discussion: Terms & concepts, personal ancestry predictions & risk/rewards 4 2/3 M Basics of Population Genetics: genetic drift and natural selection 5 2/5 W Population genetic principles for analyzing DNA variation 2/7 F Section: Cheek swab sampling of students for mtDNA sequencing 6 2/10 M DNA sequencing technologies and an introduction to “genomics” 7 2/12 W Ancestry inference & the Natl. Geographic Society’s Genographic Project - Spencer Wells 2/14 F Joint Disc Section: Talk/discussion with Dr. Spencer Wells on public participation in genetic testing and the challenges and future prospects for “direct to consumer” testing. 2/17 M No Class – February Break Feb 15-18 8 2/19 W Inferring phylogenies and genetic ancestry from DNA variation 2/21 F Discussion: exercise: phylogeny reconstruction from DNA sequences 9 2/24 M Concepts of race and ethnicity 10 2/26 W The use of genetic ancestry, race and cultural identity in medicine 2/28 F Discussion: Debate: Genetic Social, Legal and Ethical issues of Dor Yesohorim 11 3/3 M Ashkenazi Jewish Genetic Screening: perspective from a clinician: Dr. Susan Klugman, Dir, Division of Reproductive Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Take-home Prelim 1 distributed Mon. March 3, 2014, Due Wed March 12 by 4pm. 12 3/5 W Misuse of genetics, eugenics movement, etc: historical examples 3/7 F Discussion: NCAA Athlete Required Testing for Sickle Cell Trait: Agree or Disagree? 13 3/10 M What can you learn about your health from genome testing of DNA variants Example: 23andMe genetic health analysis (look at Chip’s results) 14 3/12 W Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing (DTC): Dr. Joanna Mountain from 23andMe (via skype) Take-home Prelim 1 due Wed March 12 by 4pm. 3/14 F Discussion: Contrasting DTC perspectives: 23andMe versus www.warriorroots.com 15 3/17 M How do scientists link genetic variation to disease? Genome Wide Association Studies 16 3/19 W Interpreting genome wide association studies (GWAS) for complex diseases 3/21 F Discussion: Student’s mtDNA sequencing results 17 3/24 M Genetics of human disease, the medical & ethical challenges of genome screening for disease 18 3/26 W Legal & Insurance implications of genetic testing; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) 3/28 F No Section: Writing assignment about student mtDNA sequencing and ancestry inference 3/29 – 4/6 Spring Break 19 4/7 M Pre-implantation genetic testing and “designer babies” Take-home Prelim 2 distributed Mon. April 7, 2013, Due Wed April 16th by 4pm. 20 4/9 W Newborn genetic screening 4/11 F Discussion: Debate between students assigned “For” and “Against” “designer babies” 21 4/14 M HeLa cells and informed consent 22 4/16 W Cultural views on genetic testing; Native American opposition in contrasted with Africa-American and Ashkenazi Jewish community’s embracement Take-home Prelim 2 due Wed April 16th by 4pm. 4/18 F Discussion: Informed Consent 23 4/21 M Pharmacogenomics and personalized drugs 24 4/23 W Behavior and Genetics 4/25 F Discussion: Debate regarding responsibility for genetically influenced behavior 25 4/28 M Nutritional genomics: you are what you eat, or are you? Take Home Final Exam Distributed Monday April 28, Due Thurs May 15 by 11:30 am. 26 4/30 W Genetic and personal genomics of cancer diagnosis and treatment 5/2 F Discussion: Should genes and gene variants be able to be patented? 27 5/5 M Treating Genetic Disease: options and challenges 28 5/7 W Dealing with a “bad gene” testing result, and perspective on the semester.
Take Home Final Exam Due 5/15/14 by 11:30 AM
Grading: Two take-home prelims (30 pts each), short writing assignments and section participation (10 pts), and take-home final (30 pts).