231

Col

lege

of

Med

icin

e

College of Medicine

Master’s in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research

1. Introduction:

The College of Medicine, while consolidating on its undergraduate innovative educational programs, decided to em-bark towards non-traditional postgraduate programs and prepare to offer a Master and PhD in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research.

The College has succeeded in establishing strategic alliances with leading universities and institutions in France, Ja-pan, Australia and U.S.A. Agreements have been signed by His Highness, Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qassimi, with University Paris Diderot, L”Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherché Medical (INSERM) and Institute Gustave Roussy, the largest cancer institute in Europe, to support postgraduate training and research in laboratories that have earned an international reputation. An important aspect of the agreement with University Paris Diderot is to establish a joint supervision of a Master and PhD program in Molecular Medicine and Translational Research where the degrees are awarded by the two universities.

The Master and PhD programs will be the cornerstone of the new Sharjah Institute for medical research at the Univer-sity of Sharjah.

2. Collaborating Universities: The program is located at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah and University Paris Diderot. Both universities have agreed to associate their efforts in order to promote international exchanges, to increase their scientific coopera-tion and to favor the development of research and higher education at the University of Sharjah. In this respect, a full academic supervision insuring standard and quality of courses similar to Paris Diderot University will be implemented.

The two universities declare their intention to collaborate in the exchange of faculty, students and common scientific direction of research and organization of courses at University of Sharjah and Paris Diderot University in Paris.

3. Academic Supervision:A Joint Academic Committee will be formed from the University of Sharjah faculty and faculty from University Paris Diderot, France. Faculty from collaborating universities linked with UoS will be invited to join this committee when need-ed (Mie University, Japan, Monash University, and Baker’s Institute, Australia). The committee oversees the program’s development, implementation and evaluation, and gives advice on issues related to its overall functions. Further, every graduate student shall be assigned two academic advisers (one from UoS and another from Paris Diderot).

4. Program StructureThis program will prepare graduates to pursue a research career and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to join a PhD program. The Master is a full time program and it is non-thesis.

The curriculum will be organized under modules. Each module will have more than one course. Course contents will be identified by the joint academic committee.

5. Admission RequirementsHolders of Bachelor degree or equivalent (MBBS, BDS, BS) from Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Biotechnology or a related field can apply.

232

6. Duration and Graduation RequirementsThe MS program consists of 16 courses; 3 credits each (Total 48 credits). Students are required to complete all obliga-tory courses in M1 (Total of 24 credits), and all obligatory and one selected Elective course per semester in M2 (Total of 24 credits).

Year Semester Course Title Type Course code Credit hrs Total

M1

1

Selected topics in Cell Biology Obligatory 0900705 3

12Gene expression Obligatory 0900702 3

Biomedical Genomics Obligatory 0900703 3

Modern techniques in Molecular Biology I (Lab) Obligatory 0900704 3

2

Biology and Genetics of Cancer cells Obligatory 0900701 3

12Introduction to Biotechnology Obligatory 0900706 3

Bioinformatics Obligatory 0900707 3

Modern Techniques in Molecular Biology II (Lab) Obligatory 0900708 3

M2

1

Selected topics in Immunology Obligatory 0900709 3

12

Cell communication and signaling Obligatory 0900715 3

Selected Topics in Molecular Biology Obligatory 0900711 3

Monoclonal antibodies: production and clinical use Elective 0900712 3

2

Selected Topics in Cancer Biology Elective 0900713 3

Advanced topics in Human Molecular Genetics Obligatory 0900710 3

12

Programmed cell death; pathways and impact in cancer therapy

Elective 0900716 3

Animal Models in Molecular Biology and therapeutics Elective 0900717 3

Research Project Obligatory 00900718 6

Strategy of Learning and Teaching:A combination of didactic courses with hands on lab work, seminars and Journal Clubs and Projects.

The MS program consists of 16 courses; 3 credits each (Total 48 credits). Students are required to complete all Com-pulsory courses in M1 (Total of 24 credits), and all Compulsory and one selected Elective course per semester in M2 (Total of 24 credits).

233

Col

lege

of

Med

icin

e

Course Description

0900701 Biology and genetics of cancer cells 3This course will focus on the topics related to cellular oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genetic alterations in cancer development.

0900702 Gene Expression 3This course will focus on the study of the process by which inheritable information from a gene s made into a func-tional gene product, such as protein or RNA. Topics will focus on the detailed study of transcription factors and the mechanisms of control of gene expression.

0900703 Biomedical Genomics (3 credits) 3This course presents an overview of Biomedical Genomics and Genetics and current potential applications in Biol-ogy and medicine, including identification of gene defects and the use of genetic tools for diagnosis and treatment of disease.

0900704 Modern techniques in Molecular Biology I 3A research project under the supervision of a faculty member, through which students gain experience in advanced molecular biology techniques including, polymerase chain reactions, bacterial transformations, gel electrophoresis and blotting techniques.

0900705 Selected topics in cell biology 3This course will focus on the understanding of cells. Topics covered will include understanding of abnormalities in genetic material that lead to cancer, the effects of carcinogens on cells, cell cycle control programmed cell death and regulation of the immune system.

0900706 Introduction to Biotechnology 3This course focuses on the use of biological systems in medicine, industry and agriculture; food and drug production; industrial application of genetic engineering. Lectures will underlie the principles and application of recombinant DNA technology in industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields. Lecture will also include the fermentation systems for commercial production of useful products and their purification.

0900707 Bioinformatics 3This is a hands-on course that introduces the students to Bioinformatics, which uses computer databases to store, retrieve and assist in understanding biological information. Genome-scale sequencing projects have led to an explo-sion of genetic sequences available for automated analysis. These gene sequences are the codes, which direct the production of proteins that in turn regulate all life processes. The student will be shown how these sequences can lead to a much fuller understanding of many biological processes allowing pharmaceutical and biotechnology compa-nies to determine for example new drug targets or to predict if particular drugs are applicable to all patients. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts behind Bioinformatics and Computational Biology tools. Hands-on sessions will familiarize students with the details and use of the most commonly used online tools and resources. The course will cover, among other topics, the use of NCBI’s Entrez, BLAST, ClustalW, Pfam, phylogenetics, and dot mapping.

0900708 Modern techniques in Molecular Biology II 3This course provides insight on basic laboratory techniques with practical applications of each technique under the supervision of a faculty member. In this course students will gain experience in advanced molecular biology tech-niques including, immunoprecipitation, in situ hybridization, flow cytometry, pulse field gel electrophoresis.

234

00900709 Selected topics in immunology 3This course is intended to give students insight into selected topics in immunology for students who have prior knowledge of basic immunology. There will be two one-hour lectures, in addition to a one-hour tutorial, every week addressing specific areas such as the genes and proteins involved in immune recognition for the immune response, cell adhesion molecules and their role in regulating cell-cell interaction, migration and homing, intracellular signaling mechanisms, the mechanisms by which the immune system learns “self” from “non-self”. In addition, cytokines and chemokines, and the interaction between tumors and the immune response, and current immunotherapies will all be presented. Topics will be selected each semester this course is taught depending on factors such as research activity of faculty members, and current trends in immunology.

0900710 Advanced topics in Human Molecular Genetics 3This course presents an overview of the genetic mapping of Mendelian and complex diseases and the identification of disease genes using a number of approaches. The students will analyze and assess the use of Linkage and as-sociation studies in mapping disease loci. The course also sheds light on the methods of genetic testing for allelic variants and the concept of population screening. Special emphasis will be given to mapping studies related to Dia-betes and cardiovascular diseases.

0900711 Selected topics in molecular biology 3This course will focus on the study of the molecular underpinnings of the process of replication, transcription, trans-lation of the genetic material. Topics include: the biochemistry and role of biomolecules, the study of the chemistry behind biological processes, genetic interactions and knock out studies.

0900712 Monoclonal antibodies 3Monoclonal Antibodies now have applications in virtually all areas of biology and medicine. This course provides an integrated treatment of both the production and application of monoclonal antibodies. Detailed and critical accounts of the theory, production, purification, fragmentation, storage and radiolabelling of monoclonal antibodies will be cov-ered, along with descriptions of their uses in antigen characterization, affinity chromatography and immunofluores-cence. Recent rapid advances, particularly with respect to the applications of molecular biology, the use of antibodies in cloning and heterologous expression of genes, immunohistology and phage display libraries will also be covered.

0900713 Selected topics in cancer biology 3This course will focus on the relationship between tumour biology and the response of tumours to treatment with anti-cancer agents with emphasize on cell signaling, DNA damage induction and repair, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis after cancer chemotherapy.

0900714 Selected topics in molecular biology 3This course will focus on the study of the molecular underpinnings of the process of replication, transcription, trans-lation of the genetic material. Topics include: the biochemistry and role of biomolecules, the study of the chemistry behind biological processes, genetic interactions and knock out studies.

0900715 Cell communication and signaling 3This course will focus on the study of processes by which a cell converts one kind of signal into another. Topics include: Detailed study of cytoskeleton and cell motility, adhesion molecules, tyrosine kinase receptors, G protein coupled receptors and cell cycle. This course will also cover signaling as it relates to the molecular basis of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

235

0900716 Programmed cell death 3This course will focus on the regulated process of programmed cell death. Topics include: the biochemical events leading to cell death, apoptosis, and detailed studies on the basic concepts and pathways of programmed cell death and their impact on cancer therapy.

0900717 Animal models in molecular biology and therapeutics 3The use of animals in experimental medicine, pharmacology, pharmaceutical development, safety assessment, and toxicological evaluation has become a well-established and essential practice. Experiments in animals have provided the necessary building blocks that have permitted the explosive growth of medical and biological knowledge.

This course will focus on understanding the role and applications of animal models in the field of therapeutics and molecular biology with emphasize on types, advantages and limitations of animal models.

0900718 Research Project 3Introduction to biological research through an independent, original project under the supervision of a faculty member.

Col

lege

of

Med

icin

e