YEARS 1 & 2 ELECTIVE COURSE
TITLE:
Introduction to Biomarkers and Personalized Medicine
COURSE NO.:
SOMN 732
DEPARTMENT:
Interdisciplinary (Center of Excellence in Biomarker Research &
Individualized Medicine)
DURATION:
One semester
DIRECTORS:
Drs. Beata Lecka-Czernik and Alexei Fedorov
SEMESTERS AVAILABLE:
Spring
NUMBER OF STUDENTS:
10
LOCATION:
HEB-127 (Bioinformatics Computer Laboratory)
COORDINATOR:
Ms. Joanne Gray
FACULTY:
Several, from Colleges of Medicine & Life Sciences, and Pharmacy. Full
list (updated annually) is at: http://www.utoledo.edu/med/depts/bioinfo/html/FINAL Unit 1
and Unit 2 Web.htm
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The practice of medicine is just beginning to be
transformed by the use of diagnostic biomarkers, selection of therapeutic drugs based on a
patient’s gene profile (pharmacogenomics), development of therapies based on modification
of a patient’s own immune cells, and many other related approaches. This course provides an
overview of how these approaches are being developed and applied, and should help prepare
physicians for the coming transformational changes.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe how bioinformatics is applied to clinical problems
2. Describe the processes of biomarker discovery and validation
3. Describe current and in-process applications of biomarkers and personalized medicine to
major diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmunity
4. Demonstrate competence in written communication on projects
METHODS OF TEACHING:
Lectures. Attendance is recommended whenever possible,
since that allows the most fruitful interactions with each presenter. However lectures will be
available online (usually on Blackboard), and faculty are available via email (and, in most
cases, in person via appointment).
METHODS OF EVALUATION AND STUDENT FEEDBACK: The course has two portions,
with the first focused on identification and use of biomarkers, and the second focused on
personalized medicine. These two portions count equally towards the final grade, as follows:
 Biomarkers homework 30%
 Biomarkers examination 20% (takes the form of a take-home exam or project)
 Personalized med exam 50% (take-home exam with short essays and/or problems)
LINKAGE TO EPOs: This course is relevant to several LCME-defined The course also
addresses many of the School of Medicine curricular EPOs, but the following ones most
directly:
K3 – Causes of maladies (especially genetic) and their pathogenesis
K6 – Pharmacologic basis for therapeutics (especially pharmacogenomics)
K7 – Application of basic science knowledge to clinical problems
K8 – Use of study designs, statistical methods and the scientific method (with focus on
identifying and validating biomarkers, and individualized therapeutic approaches)
S9 – Ability to identify factors that place individuals at risk for disease.
S11 – Ability to retrieve, manage and utilize biomedical information
P3 – Commitment to continuously improve one’s knowledge and ability
QUALITY ASSURANCE: An anonymous online (Blackboard) evaluation of the course, topic
selection, and instructors is carried out by students at the end of the term. The results are
reviewed by the program director (Dr. Robert Blumenthal) together with the course directors,
and are discussed (along with any resultant proposed changes) in the annual all-faculty
meeting of the Bioinformatics/BRIM faculty (usually held in November).
HOT TOPICS
 Population-based medicine,
 Research methods
 Genetic counseling
 Medical informatics
 Biostatistics
 Epidemiology and evidence-based medicine.
PREREQUISITES: (if any): Successful completion (Pass or better) of Block I (Cellular and
Molecular Biology) and good academic standing, permission of either of the two course
directors.