Course From Gene to Function - Molecular Analysis of Disease Genes

The course, C104/20 From Gene to Function - Molecular Analysis of Disease Genes, is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, autum 2021

Criteria for participation: University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students and research-year medical students).

Aim: Getting familiar with the theoretical background, the experimental methods, and interpretation of results in studies investigating consequences of mutations and molecular disease mechanism.

Learning outcomes: After completion of the course the PhD student will have achieved solid knowledge in:

• Theoretical assessment of effects of gene variations
• Protein structure, folding and trafficking and their disturbances in diseases
• Methods for experimental investigations of effects of gene variations
• Design and interpretation of cellular and in vitro experiments
• Exercising and developing skills for communicating scientific knowledge

Contents: The course consists of a theoretical part (aprox. 70 %) including lectures, group exercises and a Journal Club, and 'hands-on' experimental exercises (aprox. 30 %). In the theoretical part we give an introduction to the knowledge on gene expression and protein biogenesis (trafficking, folding and degradation), design and evaluation of expression experiments aimed to investigate the effects of disease-associated gene variations and a brief general introduction to the use of Internet databases and data-mining in this context.

In the practical part hands-on experiments exploring the biogenesis of disease-associated mutant proteins will be performed.

Recommended knowledge for participation: Basic knowledge of Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and interest in molecular disease mechanisms.

Venue: Science Center Skejby, building D andE, Brendstrupgaardsvej 21A, meeting room 2

           Lab exercise: MMF’s labs, Science Center Skejby, Olof Palmes Alle 49, building G, ground floor

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students, Research Year students and Research Honours Programme students from Aarhus University
• PhD students enrolled at partner universities of the Nordoc network
• PhD students from other institutions in the open market agreement for PhD courses

Course dates:

• 29 November 2021 08:30 - 16:30
• 30 November 2021 08:30 - 16:30
• 01 December 2021 08:30 - 16:30
• 02 December 2021 08:30 - 16:30