Molecules, Genes and Disease

The unit aims to enable students to make progress towards meeting some of the learning outcomes described in Outcomes for Graduates (2018) relevant to 'The Doctor as a Scholar and Scientist' and 'the Doctor as a Professional'. The specific aims of this unit are that students will develop an understanding of the general relationship between the processes involved in chromosome behaviour, gene expression and the activity of cells. At the end of the unit students should appreciate the variety of protein structures necessary to carry out the range of cellular processes, including protein synthesis and secretion. Additionally the student will understand the fundamental processes of inheritance and mutation and how these may affect patients. Finally the student should be able to connect the themes and molecular analyses discussed within the unit to a clinical context, and be aware of the ethical issues surrounding it.