Master courses | Year 2
Advanced Neurogenomics
Master Program: Neurosciences, Year 2
Credits: 6
Period: 1
Course coordinator: Prof. Dr. M. Verhage
Brief description: This is a practical course. You will be executing a small research project aimed at illustrating today’s research into gene-function relations and finding causal relationships between molecular events and functional consequences at the cellular/network level. The experiments involve gene expression analysis (transcripts, proteins), and genotypic and phenotypic analysis (genotyping, cell biology, behavior). Theoretical underpinning of concepts and methods will be achieved by using examples from recent literature.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/neurosciences-research/AM_470717
—————————————————————————————————————–
Complex Trait Genetics
Master Program: Genes in Behaviour and Health, Year 2
Credits: 6
Period: 1
Course coordinator: Prof. Dr. D. Boomsma
Brief description:
Quantitative genetics is concerned with the inheritance of those differences between individuals that are of degree rather than of kind (quantitative rather than qualitative). Such differences are seen for most human complex traits (e.g. depression, cognitive abilities or attention problems). When traits are classified into dichotomies (e.g. the population is characterized by affected and unaffected individuals), a quantitative distribution of liability may be assumed to model their inheritance. This course aims to provide the theoretical understanding of the inheritance of quantitative differences in behaviour, behavioural disorders, endophenotypes (e.g. blood pressure or brain volumes) underlying disease traits (e.g. hypertension or schizophrenia). Quantitative differences, as far as they are inherited, depend on genes with on average small effects and are usually influenced by gene differences at many loci. Consequently these genes cannot be identified by Mendelian segregation ratios (though they are subject to the laws of Mendelian transmission). The methods of quantitative genetics are characterized by studies of large populations and families / twins and by the fact that the nature of quantitative differences requires the measurement (and not just the classification) of individuals. The extension of Mendelian genetics into
quantitative genetics will be made in two stages: the genetic properties of populations (population genetics) and the inheritance of measurements (biometrical genetics). Quantitative genetics is now merging with molecular genetics and the last part of this course will be devoted to methods for the localization and characterization of genes causing quantitative variation.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/neurosciences-research/P_MCTRGEN
—————————————————————————————————————–
Nature of nurture: gene-environment correlation and interaction in the family
Master Program: Genes in Behaviour and Health, Year 2
Credits: 6
Period: 1
Course coordinator: Dr. M.G. Nivard
Brief description: Genetic influences were long thought to be largely independent of the social world. This notion is now called into question as increasing evidence underscores the interplay between the genome and the environment. Within the field of behaviour and molecular genetics we are facing the next level of understanding how genetic sources of individual differences are amplified or dampened by environmental and social factors and, conversely, how genetic pathways modulate environmental effects and social interactions. Essential to understand this multiple layer interplay is an as complete as possible assessment of environmental and social exposure. Such a collection of assessments (an exposome) was first proposed by Wild in the field of cancer epidemiology and quickly expanded to other disease fields In this course the concept of an exposome will be explained in the context of complex traits. The study of gene by environment or gene by exposure interactions and dependencies does make stringent assumptions about the data used. These studies can also present ethical dilemmas as healthy records, employment records and genetics data are combined. Both the methodological aspects and ethical aspects will be discussed in the course.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MNATNUR
—————————————————————————————————————–
Personalised Health and Medicine
Master Program: Genes in Behaviour and Health, Year 2
Credits: 6
Period: 2
Course coordinator: Prof. Dr. M. Bartels
Brief description: Research has shown that an individual’s unique characteristics, genetic profile and environmental factors, play a significant role in both disease susceptibility and in the response to treatment. Personalised medicine is a rapidly developing and growing field and aims to predict more accurately an individual’s predisposition to developing a disease, achieve better diagnoses, earlier (preventive) interventions, and targeted and more efficient drug therapies (pharmacogenomics) and customized treatment. More recently, attention is also given to more personalised prevention of (health-related) behavior. This course will focus on the current state of affairs, implications and future prospects of personalised prevention and treatment related to health behaviour (e.g. substance abuse) mental health (e.g. major depressive disorder, ADHD) and physical health (e.g. diabetes, coronary heart disease). Attention will be given to the use of polygenetic scores in decision-making processes related to prevention and treatment, and the role of interplay of genes and the environment (e.g. life events, stress, lifestyle). In addition, methodology to gain more insights into personalised programs as well as ethical aspects will be discussed.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MPHMED
—————————————————————————————————————–
Grant writing and science communication
Master Program: Genes in Behaviour and Health, Year 2
Credits: 6
Period: 3
Course coordinator: Dr. E. van Bergen
Brief description: The course consists of two interrelated parts: writing grants and communicating science. Both are key skills for a successful academic career. Grant writing has become an essential aspect of academic life. To write a successful grant one needs a good overview of the body of literature, identify the knowledge gaps, come up with an innovative, challenging, yet feasible research plan, and of course good writing skills. In this course, successful applicants will share their knowledge and will help students write their own proposal in the format of a PhD fellowship. Grant proposals are not only evaluated on the scientific content, but also on aspects like track record and societal importance and impact. Writing these sections will also be discussed and practiced. Academics should also be able to clearly communicate scientific findings to their colleagues and society at large. This involves both oral and written communication via diverse media, like conference talks, journal articles, television, radio, newspapers, magazines, blogs and twitter. Articles on science communication with advice and red flags will be discussed. Students will read, watch, and listen to examples of good science communication. Students will also learn by doing and by giving and receiving feedback.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MGWSCCOM
—————————————————————————————————————–
Internship II, Research Master Genes in Behaviour and Health
Master Program: Genes in Behaviour and Health, Year 2
Credits: 30
Period: Ac. Year, February
Course coordinator: Prof. Dr. D.I. Boomsma
Brief description: The internship involves all aspects of research, including the theoretical preparation and literature survey, practical execution consisting of data collection and/or data preparation as well as data analyses. The work will result in a paper suitable for publication and a presentation during a research meeting. The internship should be related to genes, behaviour and health, and is likely to take place outside the Department of Biological Psychology. The internship should take place within an academic or a Research & Development setting and the internship has to be of sufficient academic quality with adequate on-site supervision guaranteed.
More information: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2022-2023/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MINTERN_2#/