Molecular and genetic mechanisms in nutrition science, 10 credits

A Bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in biomedicine, cellular and molecular biology, pharmaceutics, medicine, nutrition, or the equivalent. And proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• discuss the role of nutrients in human metabolism and health from a molecular perspective.
• explain the concepts endocrine disruption, nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics and give examples of each areas in relation to human metabolism and health.
• explain and discuss the role of intestinal microbiota composition for human health.
• describe methods commonly used in the field of molecular nutrition and identify appropriate methods for answering different types of questions.
• answer a question in the area of molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying how diet affects health by searching for relevant scientific literature.
• compile and present, in writing and orally, a scientific report with an evidence-based approach to answer and critically discuss the above-mentioned question.

This course deals with current scientific evidence on the relationship between dietary factors, metabolic and hormonal regulation, as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms that are important in the development and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This course also deals with the current methodology used in research on molecular and cellular mechanisms of nutrition, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and CRISPR / Cas9-mediated gene modification. Biostatistics in connection with discussing scientific articles is also included. Ethical considerations in animal research is also included. During the course, the students will also receive training in presenting, discussing and communicating science in the area for the course.

The course consists of lectures, seminars, journal clubs and individual assignments and group work.

The course is examined through a written examination (graded Pass/Fail), presentation and discussion of group work regarding molecular methods (graded Pass/Fail), as well as an individual written report (graded Pass with distinction/Pass/Fail) and oral presentation (graded Pass/Fail). To pass the course, all examination tasks must fulfil the criteria for Pass. Final grade is based on the written report. Grading criteria for all assignments are provided in Canvas.

In the case a student fails examination, the examination can be redone a maximum of five more times. After six failed assignments, no further examination opportunities will be given. The individual report can be complemented if failed; if the student has not submitted complementation of this at given deadline, grade Fail is given. 

Compulsory participation:
Group work and journal clubs are compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory parts can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence according with the examiner's instructions, student's study results cannot be finalized. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in that the student cannot compensate absence until the next time the course is given.

If there are special reasons, or need for adaptions for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus's regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of complementation of or exemption from compulsory activities, etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

The course language is English.
A course evaluatioon will be conducted according to guidelines decided by the Committee for Higher Education at KI. Oral evaluation will be carried out during the course.