This module will introduce students to a range of advanced and current topics in nutrigenomics (the role of nutrients and bioactive food components in gene expression and health) and nutrigenetics (the science of the effect of genetic variation on dietary response). Both aim to elucidate the interaction between diet and genes and ultimately have a common ultimate goal, to identify the optimal diet for a given individual, i.e. personalised nutrition. This module also aims to develop team working skills through performance and assessment of assignment in team format.
Human Genome Project; key historical developments and current sequencing projects The Human Microbiome and its role in human health Nutrigenetics, genetic susceptibility, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and 'personalised' diet Nutrigenomics and the role of nutrients and bioactive food components in gene expression and health. Introductory Bioinformatics; primary databases overview and associated query tools The application of Bioinformatics in Nutraceuticals and ‘Omics’ technologies; Proteomics approach to identify biomarkers of health Transcriptomics, expression profile of genes, Microarrays Metabolomics, impact of nutrition on metabolite profiles. Systems Biology – bioinformatics analysis and integration of ‘omics’ data Nutrigenomics: Applications & Case Studies such as nutrigenomics and MetS Guest Lecture: E.g. Applications of Nutrigenomics to Nutraceutical development
The content of this module will be delivered by way of lectures using case studies and journal articles. Students are expected to keep abreast of current issues related by the media. There is also an emphasis on teamwork where the research topic review assessment is performed and assessed in team format. The emphasis in the final year is on self-directed learning, therefore students will be expected to research selected topics from the subject matter list using the information resources available to them.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 70 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 30 |