Molecular, Cellular and Genomic (MCG) Foundations

Module Description

This foundational module provides medical students with a comprehensive understanding of the molecular, cellular, and genomic principles that underpin human health and disease. Emphasizing the integration of basic science with clinical practice, the curriculum covers the structure and function of genes, proteins, and cells, biochemical pathways in metabolism, mechanisms of genetic inheritance, and the application of genomic technologies to medicine.

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Module Goals

• To equip students with a foundational understanding of molecular biology, cell biology, metabolism, and genetics.

• To foster the ability to apply basic science knowledge to understanding the pathogenesis of diseases and the rationale behind targeted treatments.

• To develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the exploration of biochemical, molecular and genomic research and their implications in medicine.

• To prepare students for further study and integration of molecular, cellular, and genomic concepts in clinical settings.

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Module Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students will:

Module Learning Objectives	Medical Education Program Objectives
Review enzyme kinetics and apply kinetic concepts to the disciplines of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.	Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients
Outline the components and functions of eukaryotic cells, including the roles of organelles in cellular processes, and summarize cell signaling pathways, highlighting their implications in health and disease.	Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients
Describe the structure and function of nucleic acids, using specific examples to illustrate key concepts in regulation of gene expression and in the processes that maintain genomic integrity: DNA replication, repair, and recombination.	Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients
Describe multiple metabolic pathways required for the breakdown and usage of carbohydrate, fat and protein, and the synthesis of complex metabolites from simple precursors, and demonstrate how defects in metabolic pathways result in specific disease processes.	Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients
Distinguish between phases of the cell cycle, describe processes of cell growth and death (including apoptosis and necrosis), and apply cell-cycle principles to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.	Knowledge for Practice 9. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care
Illustrate the principles of inheritance, including Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns, interpret genetic mutations and their clinical implications, and discuss variation of the human genome and how genetic diversity influences individual and population differences.	Knowledge for Practice 8. Apply knowledge of the biomedical sciences to care for patients Knowledge for Practice 9. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care