E0290 Interpretation of Biomarkers in Epidemiologic and Clinic Studies

Faculty of Science
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D.
RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. MUDr. Julie Dobrovolná, Ph.D.
Supplier department: RECETOX – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites
E3230 - Human pathophysiology
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Use of biomarkers in human studies is a useful approach based on the synthesis of advanced laboratory methodology and epidemiology aiming to interpret the risk for health of individuals and/or populations. This approach is necessary for understanding of interactions between genetic/epigenetic make-up of an individual and surrounding environment and also for identification of individuals and populations at risk. The primary focus of the course is to recognize the benefits as well as limiations of biomarkers use in individuals and populations, including criteria for selection and validation of commonly used biomarkers. The course also deals with common ethical problems related to biomarkers use. The course investigates biomarkers at the level of clinical medicine, epidemiology as well clinical studies, including age-specific aspects and individuals/populations at risk of selected pathologies.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: 1) Explain what biomarkers are and how they are determined 2) Explain how the results of analysis in given biomarker platform depend on selection of correct method and the correct preparation of the sample 3) Explain basic principles of use and interpretation of biomarkers in clinical medicine 4) Explain the basic principles of the use and interpretation of biomarkers in epidemiological studies 5) Explain basic principles of use and interpretation of biomarkers in clinical trials 6) Explain the basic principles of interpretation of biomarkers in the framework of the diagnosis in an individual patient and explain the potential of various groups of biomarkers in the personalized medicine 7) Explain the basic methodological constraints of the individual methods and the most common sources of errors for these methods 8) Explain the specifics of the interpretation of biomarkers in specific populations, discuss the influence of gender on the interpretation of biomarkers 9) Explain the specifics of the interpretation of biomarkers depending on the age of the population / individual
Syllabus
  • Introduction to the course. Definition, classification and characterization of biomarkers. 2. Use of biomarkers in diagnostics, therapy and estimation of patient prognosis, biomarkers of selected diseases 3. Use of biomarkers in epidemiological studies 4. Use of biomarkers in clinical trials - Study design 5. Use of biomarkers in clinical trials - Ethical aspects 6. Biomarkers and public health promotion 7. Macrotopics in human health research - individual sensitivity, personalized medicine 8. Macrotopics in human health research - prevention, intervention 9. Macrotopics in human health research - new threats 10. Biomarkers of aging and age-dependent interpretation of other biomarkers 11. Influence of gender on the interpretation of biomarkers 12. Interpretation of biomarkers in specific subgroups of the population 13. Examples of myths and cases of inappropriate interpretation of biomarkers at individual and population level
Literature
    required literature
  • SLABÝ, ET AL., Ondřej. Molekulární medicína. 2015. ISBN 978-80-7492-121-6. info
    recommended literature
  • The Handbook of Biomarkers, Jain Kewal, K, 2017, 978-1-4939-7431-3
Teaching methods
Education is performed as lectures with Powerpoint presentation. Understanding of mechanisms and consequences is emphasized. Students are frequently asked questions to think about actual topic. They are encouraged to ask questions and be in interaction with the lecturer.
Assessment methods
Attendance of the lectures is not mandatory but strongly recommended for complete understanding of the educated subjects. During the lectures, students are asked about subjects of past lecture. Final assessment (at the end of semester) is by written examination. It is not multiple choice test but 50 questions, which frequently require description, explanation or schematization of asked topic. Questions have 1 - 3 points according to their difficulty. Total count is 100 and to pass at least 30 points are needed.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2020/E0290