TRM6007 · Translational research and medicine for metabolic disorders

Overview

In this unit, you will develop and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the epigenetic, biochemical and molecular pathways involved in metabolism. Discipline-specific topics will include biochemistry, metabolism, nutrition and epigenetics. Developing a fundamental understanding of metabolic pathways and constituents will provide a contextual basis to identify and evaluate the pathophysiological changes occurring in metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity. Integrating knowledge of the biological and biochemical processes contributing to metabolic disorders will enable you to interpret patient outcomes, justify the use of appropriate technologies to answer patient-specific metabolic disorder problems and evaluate pathways to translate metabolic research findings into clinical practice. This unit will consist of online specialist lectures delivered by researchers and clinicians actively working in the metabolic disorders discipline, and eLearning resources. You will review and evaluate clinical and scientific literature in metabolic disorders with a focus on clinical and translational medicine perspectives, and present this information in written form, and via oral presentations and posters suitable for a conference presentation. This unit will provide you with an in-depth clinical and translational research knowledge base to generate cutting-edge research questions, and to develop the ability to undertake inquiry-based research.

Areas of study: TRNSNLP01 - Translational research PhD program

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

• Scientific poster and presentation (10 min presentation + 10 min question, face-to-face). Value %: 20 • Oral presentation (15 minutes presentation + 5 min question time) Value %: 20 • Research (Grant) proposal (1,800 words). Value %: 30 • Integrative translational assignment (1,800 words). Value % : 30

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify the cells, molecules and pathways involved in metabolism and bioenergetics
2. Distinguish between the epigenetic and genetic basis of metabolic disorders
3. Evaluate the pathogenic molecular and cellular mechanisms contributing to metabolic disorders
4. Evaluate and appraise appropriate tools and techniques to investigate metabolic disorders and predict patient treatment outcomes in metabolic disorders
5. Critically appraise and communicate the key concepts and conclusions from translational metabolic disorder research literature to a professional audience
6. Develop a specific research question grounded in a critical review of the clinical and scientific literature related to metabolic disorders

Workload

Multimodal delivery of coursework content through face-to-face and online teaching. All course materials including webinars, powerpoint presentations, and notes will be available on-line through Moodle. An average of 12 hours of study per week will be required to integrate content (3 hours per week of interactive workshops [total 36 hours]), and completion of specific on-line self-directed learning and assessment tasks. You will be required to be on-campus for one week during semester (week 6), for the first oral presentation and the final (week 12) for the revision exercises and to deliver the final poster and oral presentations.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.