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MED 278: Cancer Genomics Journal Club

Course Director: Hannah Carter, PhD
Co-Instructor: Jill Mesirov, PhDKathleen (Kit) Curtius, PhD
Quarter: Fall, Winter & Spring, Tuesdays, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.,  BRF-II, Suite 5A03. 
Units: 1

Topics:

  • Genome-wide molecular profiling of tumors
  • Clinical Genetics and Genomics in Hematology/Oncology
  • Systems biology analysis of genome-wide datasets
  • Genomic technologies for biomarker discovery
  • Computational tools, methods and resources for cancer genomics

Goals:

  • Provide an interactive and engaging venue to learn and discuss about cancer genomics studies
  • Learn how to design studies, conduct them or criticise them
  • Identify databases, tools and technologies existing or in development, their novelties and limitations
  • Identify the major laboratories and investigators in the field of cancer genomics

Logistics: All participants are expected to read the selected article and engage in discussion and critical thinking. The article will be selected in agreement with the instructor and sent to the participants the Friday preceding the class.

List Registration: All participants need to register to the diffusion list in order to receive the selected article every week and other communications regarding the journal club.

Recent selection of articles:

 Tips and resources for a more effective Journal Club:

  • Identify the take home message: 1) question asked, 2) most significant piece of data/figure, 3) validity of the conclusion
  • Prepare slides: one figure panel per slide, not all panels and supplemental figures need to be discussed - choose wisely
  • Prepare a couple background slides introducing the concepts, models or techniques used
  • Highlight key conclusions for each panel presented
  • Pick two or three sentences to highlight from the discussion
  • Allow participants to discuss - but watch the clock, skip parts of the paper if time is running out
  • More advice can be found online: ACP and Tips