Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Biology
Understand inner workings of cell growth and signalling that leads to tumors.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded jointly to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of a method for genome editing.
Curriculum: Course Code - AT011
Genetics and genomics have Revolutionized the way we diagnose and treat various diseases, from inherited disorders to cancer. This course is intended to introduce and build upon Genetics, Genomics, and principles of abnormal cell growth and mechanisms that enable tumorigenesis.
Learn to integrate molecular genetics to understand gene functions, mutations, and regulation of cellular processes, etc. Genomics is the study of the entirety of an organism. Further technology and computer have intensified the applicability of these studies in medical practice. You will further learn about the implementation of omics studies in diagnosis, treatment, and cutting-edge research in the field of cancer.
Highlights
- Learn recent advances in biotechnology that have genetic implications (Genetic engineering technology as CRISPR)
- Learn about the relation between genetic mutations and affected biological pathways
- Correct genetic mutations using gene therapy and stem cell therapeutics
- Mechanistic insights leading to improved Anti-cancer therapy.
- What is resistance and why is cancer still largely incurable?
Learn topics & technologies like
- Introduction to Genetics
- Genomics, Big data, and Health Informatics
- Genome editing and CRISPER
- Cancer Biology
- Precision medicine
- Cancer Evolution and Informatics
- Therapeutics and Immunotherapy
Career counselling about an increasingly wide range of available careers, including research(academic & Pharmaceutical company based), teaching, Medical practitioners to name a few.
Activities & Credits
Students learn to make high quality science posters & hone their presentation skills.
Learn to draft scientific write-ups with clear and convincing narratives.
Outstanding students also get opportunities for long-term projects with mentors.
Recent Student Projects in Cancer Science
Circulating Tumor Cells
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/iman-ali
Iman Ali
(Galaxy International School)
Metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads, represents one of the most perilous aspects of the disease. Coined by Jean Claude Recamier in 1829, metastasis serves as the defining characteristic of a malignant tumor Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), also referred to as circulating cancer cells, play a pivotal role in this phenomenon.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/chance-white
Chance White
(Saint Ignatius College Preparatory)
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow which inhibits normal hematological development. The disease is characterized by abnormal proliferation of premature white blood cells known as myeloid cells. The uncontrolled colonial expansion of myeloid cells inhibits healthy red blood cell division in patients.
Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/weiran-yu
Weiran Yu
(Ambassador High School)
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) constitutes the predominant form of primary liver cancer, accounting for 75-90% of cases, while intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) represents a significant portion of other cancer subtypes. The incidence of liver cancer is the fifth most common among men and the ninth most common among women worldwide. Recognized risk factors for HCC include chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/francesca-gomez
Francesca ChevarrÃa Gómez
(Max Uhle Peruvian-German School)
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which means, two copies of the mutation must be present for the disease to develop. PKU can be caused by 400 different known variants in the PAH gene. The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme performs the breakdown of the amino acid phenylalanine (phe) into tyrosine (Tyr), which is required by the body to produce stress neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.
Burkitt Lymphoma and c-Myc Gene
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/manasa-thiruppathi
Manasa Thiruppathi
(Amador Valley High School)
Burkitt Lymphoma represents a rare yet highly aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin's cancer originating in the immune system. This cancer type triggers uncontrolled growth of B-cells and is marked by symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. Tumor lysis, wherein tumor cells release their contents into the bloodstream, often leads to organ damage and loss of muscle control.
Melanoma & Circulating Tumour DNA
https://elioacademy.org/student/23/jhanavi-srivastava
Jhanavi Srivastava
(Woodlawn High School)
The cells that make melanin, the pigment responsible for your skin's colour, grow into melanoma, one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer. Additionally, melanoma can develop in your eyes and, very rarely, inside your body, like in your throat or nose. It can start in a mole (skin melanoma), but it can also begin in pigmented tissues like the intestines or the eye.
