Genes - Myths and Reality | Tartu Ülikool

20.01.2025 - 30.03.2025

Time of occurrence

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More information

Credits

2 ECTS (52 hours)

Form of study

Entirely web-based

Location

Veebis

Fee

free

Teachers

Kertu Liis Krigul
Lea Ets

Study group

Biology

Program language

Estonian

Additional information

Outcome:

A student who has passed the course:
* knows how to critically assess new information and how to find reliable information;
* knows what DNA is and how it influences the development of different organisms;
* understands the principles of molecular biology and myths associated with it (e.g. whether mutations can give superpowers, are GMO-s dangerous);
* knows what other organisms inhabit our body and what role they play (e.g. whether bacteria are dangerous and could we do without them, how antibiotics work);
* understands how cancer develops and why it has not already been cured;
* understands how drug-related myths arise (including how effective 'miracle medicines' and the related placebo effect are, the emergence of vaccine-related myths);
* understands the complexity and time it takes to implement different molecular methods (distinguished real genetics from Hollywood films);
* understands how personalized medicine works (including how analyses for gene donors work);
* understands how cloning works (e.g. can you clone a dead person or an extinct species)

Teachers:

Kertu Liis Krigul -
Lea Ets -

Content:

Topic	Credit	Lectors
1. 1. Overview of molecular biology 2. Mutations and GMO 3. Microbiota 4. Vaccines, drugs and cancer 5. Methods in genetic engineering 6. Personal medicine 7. Cloning	52