TITLE OF MODULE: Epigenetics in Development and Disease

Transcription

1 TITLE OF MODULE: Epigenetics in Development and Disease MODULE NUMBER: BIO00013H ORGANISER: Dr. Louise Jones SUBJECT COMMITTEE: MBB VERSION: November 2011 TERM TAUGHT: Autumn 2012 PREREQUISITES: None ASSESSMENT: Closed examination Mod Code Mod Name Epigenetics in Development and Disease Level H Credits 10 Owner Dr Louise Jones Module type STAN Compensatable Yes Reassessable Yes Module availability Occurrence Terms taught Spring Assessment Information Sequence Assessment title Type Weight Final Assessment? 001 Exam Exam 100% Yes SUMMARY: Epigenetic mechanisms enable the expression status of genes or even entire chromosomes to be inherited. These mechanisms involve modifications to DNA and/or chromatin and play critical roles in controlling the output of information from a genome. Epigenetics is therefore central to the biology of an organism and is an area of high current interest. In this module we will begin by looking at the molecular basis for epigenetics before examining its role in development and disease. Classic epigenetic events such as dosage compensation and imprinting will be discussed as well as more recent examples relating to stem cell biology and animal cloning. In recent years the role of epigenetic processes in diverse diseases has been realised and we will discuss whether cancer and ageing can be considered to be epigenetic diseases. Another interesting aspects of epigenetics is the idea that changes in the environment can result in trans-generational changes in gene 1

2 expression and we will examine the evidence and discuss the implications of this potentially controversial area. An understanding of the concepts and material taught in Stage 2 module From gene to function is recommended. AIMS: To illustrate the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in diverse areas of development and disease using examples from both animal and plant science To combine up-to-date and classic studies with an emphasis on critical evaluation of the experimental evidence LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the module a student is expected to: Understand what is epigenetics Describe key epigenetic mechanisms and how they cause stable changes in gene expression Understand the consequences if epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted Be familiar with key techniques of importance to epigenetics research Describe key experiments that have been discussed in the lectures Make connections across the module (i.e link the material from the development and disease sections) Identify similarities and differences in epigenetic mechanisms between the plant and animal kingdoms SYNOPSIS: The module will comprise of 8 lectures and it is expected that the following topics will be covered: Lecture 1: Revisiting control of eukaryotic gene expression and introducing the concept of epigenetics (LJ) Lecture 2: Basic epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs (LJ) Lectures 3-5: Epigenetic mechanisms in animal & plant development. Role of Polycomb and trithorax proteins in key developmental events. Epigenetics and stem cell biology. Reprogramming of epigenetic status and the implications for inducing stem cell formation and animal cloning. Dosage compensation and imprinting. Control of transposable elements. (LJ) Lectures 6-7: Epigenetics, disease and the influence of the environment. Can cancer and aging be considered as epigenetic diseases? How changes in the environment (diet, chemicals, behaviour) can cause long-term changes in gene expression. (SSC) Lecture 8 (Seminar and Wrap up Session) Primary research paper(s) of direct relevance to the module will be examined in detail and the wider implications discussed. The module will conclude with a recap of key module content and also comment on last year s essay question performances (LJ, SSC). 2

3 RECOMMENDED READING: Students will be directed to relevant literature during each lecture. There is no specific text book associated with this module. LECTURERS AND ORGANISATION: L1-5: Louise Jones L6-7: Set Chong L8: Louise Jones & Set Chong STUDENT WORKLOAD: Lectures: 12 hours Total Contact hours: 12 hours Private study: 88 hours 3

4 4 STAFF TEACHING COMMITMENTS: Please enter the total number of sessions attended by each staff member: Staff initials LJ SSC Lecture sess. 1-5, Practical sess. 0 0 Other (specify) 0 0 SAFETY AND TIMETABLING INFORMATION: Please fill in an entry in the table below for each teaching session in the module. Where possible group sessions that have identical entries in all columns. A key below explains the column headings. Sess. Typ Occ. Haz. Max. Equipment Lecturers Description L1-8 e L 1 A LJ & SSC

5 KEY: Sess: session number or group of sessions (e.g. 6, 8-13). Type: Type & Duration; L 1 hr-lecture, P 3 hr-practical class, S 1 hr-seminar, T 1 hr tutorial. Specify non-standard type or duration. Occ.: number of occurrences of the session (e.g. 3 occurrences, each taking one third of the class). Haz.: hazard rating: A, low hazard, lectures, 'paper & pencil' problem sessions, etc; B, medium hazard, observational practicals where students move about but are not involved in C category activities; C, high hazard, practicals involving potential hazard in overcrowded laboratories, e.g. naked flames, hot liquids, glassware, pipetting. Max.: maximum number of students permitted in session, which may be less than the maximum number taking the module in, for example, a circus practical (see maximum room capacities above). Equipment: essential equipment in limited supply: M microscopes, D dissecting microscopes, C computers, S spectrophotometers, Ch chart recorders, H haemocytometers, Cm microcentrifuges, Cc cooled centrifuges, Cb bench centrifuges, G Gilson pipettes, specify other items. Lecturers: the initials of the lecturers participating in the session. Description: a brief description of the session(s). 5