Genomic Medicine MSc, PGDip, PG Cert

Of all the life sciences, genomics is one of the most dynamic areas. The past 20 years have seen an explosion in our ability to explore the structure, function and evolution of the human genome, with mapping and editing of gene variants now possible due to technological advances, including next-generation sequencing. In seeking to identify how alterations to our genomes directly affect disease and health, genomics is also leading a revolution in healthcare by giving a better understanding of how drugs affect people differently and thus allowing for focused, effective, treatment or ‘personalised medicine’. Under the umbrella term of genomic medicine, there are many different areas that are covered. We look at the transcriptome – the total set of RNA molecules which represents the genes active in a given organism or particular cell type at a given point in time. Changes to the transcriptome can both reflect and cause diseases such as cancer. We also consider the ‘epigenome’, heritable chemical modifications to DNA and DNA-associated proteins in the cell, which alter gene expression as a result of natural development and tissue differentiation or in response to disease or environmental exposures. In both instances, we seek to identify how these changes directly affect disease and ill health. You will learn how recent technological advances have transformed how genomic data is generated, analysed and presented; how bioinformatics is enabling us to handle and make sense of big data and its impact across healthcare. In doing so, you will consider its relevance to a range of clinical scenarios, such as the spread of specific infections across hospitals, the COVID-19 pandemic, and identification of biomarkers of response to targeted therapies. This master’s degree, awarded by St George’s University of London, is taught in partnership with King’s College London. You will benefit from the combined teaching and research expertise, and the comprehensive and specialist resources provided by these two institutions, as both specialist health universities, and two of the UK’s top research universities. Studying genomic medicine can help inform day-to-day medical or clinical practice, giving you a better understanding of what causes illness and the effects of disease, which is of interest to a wide range of health professionals. You can choose to study either single modules, a PgCert, a PgDip or the full MSc, which can lead to a range of careers, including in the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry and bioinformatics, or provide preparation for a PhD.

Key benefits

• Taught jointly by St George’s and King’s; institutions with world-class research, clinical and teaching expertise across the full spectrum of genomic medicine
• Specialist optional taught modules in cardiovascular genetics and genomics, advanced bioinformatics and counselling skills reflect institutional expertise
• If you work in the NHS, our modules are available with or without assessment fully funded by HEE (subject to available commissions).
• You will have the opportunity to experience working within an internationally recognised research group when you do your research project.
• Both institutions are NHS preferred providers and co-located with leading teaching hospitals.
• Both have participated in the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project to sequence 100,000 whole genomes from around 85,000 NHS patients with rare diseases or cancer, now using expertise to understand critical illness in Covid-19.
• You will be surrounded by like-minded individuals which helps to build your multidisciplinary understanding and context.

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