Genomic Technologies in Clinical Diagnostics: Molecular Techniques
St George's, University of London
  • Start Date: 12 Dec, 2022
  • 3 weeks
  • Study Content: Videos


Learn how molecular genetic techniques are used to identify the genetic factors that contribute to the development of disease.

Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility

Course Description

This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and FutureLearn partnership.

Powerful new technologies have been driving forward immense and exciting changes in clinical practice.


The days of peering down the microscope to detect chromosome abnormalities are gone, replaced by chromosome analysis at the genomic level. Invasive Down syndrome tests in pregnancy have made way for the evaluation of fetal DNA in maternal blood. And instead of laborious gene-by-gene targeted sequencing, we can now sequence all of our genes in parallel in a single experiment.


The course has been approved for distance-learning continuing professional development (CPD) by the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath): for 15 CPD credits.


Understand and apply molecular genetic techniques


This postgraduate-level course, in combination with Genomic Technologies in Clinical Diagnostics: Next Generation Sequencing Technologies, will help you understand these new and established genetic technologies, and their application to clinical practice.


This course focuses on molecular techniques. By the end, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and applicability of the molecular principles behind:



  • array comparative genomic hybridisation (array CGH);

  • karyotyping;

  • fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH);

  • Southern blotting;

  • multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA);

  • polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing;

  • quantitative fluorescent PCR (QF-PCR);

  • single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and genome wide association studies (GWAS);

  • and the extraction and analysis of cell free fetal DNA, including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT).


Through practice exercises each week, you will evaluate which laboratory investigations are most suitable for a given clinical scenario.


Continue studying with St George’s, University of London


Both Genomic Technologies in Clinical Diagnostics courses draw on the experience of experts in clinical genetics and education at St George’s, University of London.


The two courses will provide you with the teaching component of module 1 of the PGCert in Interpretation and Clinical Application of Genomic Data (PGCert ICAG) from St George’s. To apply for the PGCert ICAG, you must be employed as a genetics trainee within the UK, and hold a national training number (NTN) in clinical genetics.


If you upgrade and complete both courses on FutureLearn and earn a Certificate of Achievement for each, you will have completed the teaching component of the module, should you apply to study at St George’s.


This course is designed for scientists and healthcare professionals with an interest in obtaining a postgraduate-level understanding of molecular genomic techniques.


If you are new to the field, we recommend that before you start this course, you complete The Genomics Era: the Future of Genetics in Medicine.


This course is provided through eLearnAfrica’s partnership with FutureLearn.

Please note that, should you choose to purchase a Certificate of Achievement or a Statement of Participation, you will be re-directed to the FutureLearn for processing.

The following information is from the Future Learn website:

What is a Certificate of Achievement?

A Certificate of Achievement is a valuable certificate to prove what you’ve learned on your course.

Your Certificate will include your name; an outline of what you’ve learned and how long it took; the logos of the university and other organisations associated with your course. Your printed certificate will also include the lead educator’s signature.

In addition to the digital and printed certificate, you will receive a detailed transcript of what you’ve learned, how long it took and your average test score (if your course contained tests).

You can view our page about Certificates of Achievement to see what they look like.

How do I qualify for a Certificate of Achievement?

To be eligible to buy a Certificate of Achievement, you must:

  • complete 90% of the steps in a course (by using the “Mark as complete” button on each step),
  • attempt every test question in the course,
  • score over 70% on average across all course tests.

How do I buy a Certificate of Achievement?

If you’re taking a course, we’ll email you details of how to buy a Certificate of Achievement, once you’re eligible for one.

How much does a Certificate of Achievement cost?

The cost of the Certificate of Achievement varies depending on the course. They normally cost from £39.00 (GBP) to £59.00 (GBP) + shipping. The price shown includes a digital and printed certificate and transcript, and VAT or local sales tax. The exact price for your course will be shown within the course itself.

What if I don’t qualify to buy a Certificate of Achievement?

If you don’t qualify to buy a Certificate of Achievement because your test score does not meet the 70% pass threshold, you have a couple of options. You will still be able to purchase a Statement of Participation for the course, or you could join a later run of the course. Unfortunately it is not possible to retake tests in FutureLearn courses. 

What is a Statement of Participation?

A Statement of Participation is a collectable printed and digital record that you can buy, to show that you’ve taken part in a FutureLearn course. Statements are available for the vast majority of FutureLearn courses in both digital and printed formats. You can view our page about Statements of Participation to see what they look like.

Your Statement will include your name; a short summary of the course and how long it took; the logo of the university and other organisations associated with your course. In addition, your printed certificate will also include the lead educator’s signature.

Your Statement will confirm that you’ve completed the majority of steps in a course and attempted all test questions, but it will not show your individual level of completion or your test scores.

How do I qualify for a Statement of Participation?

To be eligible to buy a Statement of Participation, you must complete over half of the steps in a course (by using the “Mark as complete” button on each step) and attempt all test questions.

How do I buy a Statement of Participation?

If you’re taking a course, we’ll email you details of how to buy a Statement of Participation, once you’re eligible for one.

To be eligible, you must complete the majority of steps in the course and attempt all test questions. You can check how close you are to being eligible on your course progress page.

How much does a Statement of Participation cost?

The cost of a Statement of Participation varies depending on the course. They cost from at £19.00 (GBP) to £34.00 (GBP) plus shipping. The price shown includes a digital and printed version, and VAT or local sales tax. The exact price for your course will be shown within the course itself.

For more information on Fees and Eligibility, please feel free to consult the Frequently Asked Questions:

If you do not find an answer to your question, you can also contact FutureLearn directly via email, at: feedback@futurelearn.com

The information provided was current as of 22 September 2016. Please visit Certificates and Statements to check for changes.

Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.

This course is provided through eLearnAfrica’s partnership with FutureLearn. To go directly to a specific Category of Frequently Asked Questions, please feel free to click on any of the links below (you will be redirected to the FutureLearn website):

Categories

If you do not find an answer to your question, you can also contact FutureLearn directly via email, at: feedback@futurelearn.com

St George's, University of London

St George’s is the UK’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research.

The university provides a world-class multi-professional health sciences education that equips graduates to meet today’s healthcare needs through relevant scientific research, clinical excellence, strong interpersonal skills and team-based working. Sharing a clinical environment with a major London teaching hospital, its innovative approach to education results in well-rounded, highly skilled clinicians, scientists, and health and social care professionals.

St George’s has more than 250 years of excellence and innovation in research and education resulting in groundbreaking advances in medicine and healthcare. Alumni include Edward Jenner, John Hunter, Muriel Powell and Patrick Steptoe. The university has three research institutes focus on biomedical and scientific discovery, advancing the prevention and treatment of disease in the fields of population health, heart disease and infection - three of the greatest challenges to global health in the 21st century.

 

This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with FutureLearn.

You may be able to download course materials after enrolling in this course. If not, all of the necessary course materials provided by the course instructor will be available on the provider's course page.
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