Courses
Each of the four modules in the personalized medicine program take 32 hours to complete. Please note that Introduction to Personalized Medicine must be completed before enrolling in subsequent modules.
Introduction to Personalized Medicine (PMHP 1001)
This module introduces the key areas of genomics, human genetics and genetic variation, and other key facets of molecular biology. The module will solidify participants’ understanding of how genetics can cause disease through a myriad of different molecular levels, with a focus on how genomic data can help elucidate the mechanisms and pathology of some diseases. It will include significant focus on the statistical challenges of “big data” analyses in medical science, and to provide the basis needed for medical professionals to assess their patients’ molecular data. We will also begin to explore the fundamentals of information privacy in the context of genomic data and other molecular diagnostics. This module will also serve as a foundation for those wishing to explore how to integrate cutting edge genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and other types of “big data” tools in their clinical practice.
Omic Techniques (PMHP 1002)
This module will educate participants on the so-called ‘omics’ technologies, with a particular focus on their application for key areas in healthcare such as cancer, rare inherited diseases and infectious diseases, as well as research. A specific focus will be on the analysis tools and approaches used by companies like LifeLabs, Molecular You, and 23andMe. The module will provide the underpinning knowledge to enable healthcare practitioners to understand the data generated by these platforms, and to understand some of the insights that can come from this level of data.
Pharmacognomics (PMHP 1003)
Pharmacogenomics focuses on how to use genetic and molecular data to ensure that healthcare professionals avoid prescribing treatments with a high likelihood of being ineffective and/or harmful. Molecular biomarkers are becoming the most effective predictive tools for drug responses, and so are one of the best ways to prevent adverse reactions. The aim of this module is to educate healthcare practitioners on the methods and approaches used in pharmacogenomics, as well as to highlight some its current limitations. Students will evaluate the most recent literature on the underlying genomic patterns of adverse drug reactions and distributions of allelic heterogeneity which may influence drug efficacy. This module will also provide an overview of the different types of biomarkers that are currently used in clinical practice. Issues related to the availability and distribution of, as well as access to patient data will be explored. Finally, students will discuss how future work will aim to improve service for under-studied communities such as the First Nations and Indigenous communities in BC.
Personalized Approaches to Inherited Diseases (PMHP 1004)
This module will offer a comprehensive overview of the ways in which genes responsible for inherited diseases can be identified, both in cases of complex common diseases (like diabetes) as well as rare inherited diseases, with specific reference to common diagnostic tests available from LifeLabs. Practitioners will also see analytical results from 23andMe and Molecular You, and will discuss the significance of “uncertainty” in their interpretation of those data. Building further on the techniques covered in module 2, students will learn how to evaluate when patients might benefit from deeper molecular testing, including genetic testing, or other omics approaches such as exome or whole genome sequencing.