Genetics and Genomics

Faculty Contacts:

Bruce Hamilton (bah@ucsd.edu)
Joseph Gleeson (jogleeson@ucsd.edu)

Genetics and Genomics are at the core of modern life sciences. Gene and Genome-centered approaches are essential in the investigation of basic biological mechanisms, disease susceptibility and response to therapeutic interventions. The Genetics and Genomics Track provides a focus for this area to students and faculty in the Biomedical Sciences. Track faculty have research interests in genome-wide regulatory networks, disease gene identification, genetic architecture of complex traits, mechanisms of gene expression, genetic models of disease, gene therapy and related areas.

Track courses and training activities are integrated with the UCSD Genetics Training Program, which brings students and faculty from the Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Neurosciences graduate programs as well as peer institutions together into one coherent genetics community. The Genetics Training Program appoints and begins training students at the beginning of the second year of graduate study after completion of the core curriculum. Students in the BMS Genetics track are strongly encouraged to participate in this inter-departmental program, including a weekly journal club that fosters interactions with Genetics students across the La Jolla community.

Biomedical Sciences students who choose the Genetics Training Track should enroll in the Genetics and Genomics course (BIOM 252) in their first or second year. As topics in this course rotate from year to year, students are encouraged to take this course two successive years, fulfilling one core and one elective course requirement.

Program Faculty in Genetics and Genomics

Secondary Track


Required Coursework for BMS students

BMS students take a core curriculum that provides the foundation to allow them to specialize in any of the offered tracks, focus areas, or customized study. In the Fall quarter, "Molecules to Organisms" provides a systematic approach to current Biomedical Research, using analysis of selected topics to focus on the process of research discovery and its critical evaluation. "Seminar in Biomedical Research" includes attendance at one of the UCSD seminar series and is designed to provoke critical discussion of the presented findings and scientific approaches in a small group setting. BMS students also take short courses in statistical analysis of data and ethics in research in the third quarter of their first year.

Specialized Coursework

First year courses:

BIOM252 Genetics and Genomics  
BIOM272 Seminars in Genetics  

Advanced courses:

BIOM262 Quantitative Methods in Genetics  
BIOM242 Genetics Journal Club  

Electives:

BGGN218 Postgenomic Biology  
BGGN219 Classic Papers in Genetics  
BGGN223 Graduate Genetics  
BGGN227 Plant Molecular Genetics  
BGGN228 Developmental Genetics  
BGGN229 Advanced Oncogenes  
BIOM223 Genetics, Metabolism & Inherited Disorders  
BIOM252 Genetics & Genomics (topics rotate, may be taken twice for credit)  
MED271 Gene Therapy and Molecular Medicine  
NEU221 Genetics & Epigenetics in Brain Development  
NEU263 Developmental Neuroscience  
NEU268 Molecular & Cellular Neurobiology  

Seminar Series

Students attend the Genetics and Genomics in Medicine series, as well as seminars in other local series as appropriate.

Journal Club

Students are expected to participate in the weekly Genetics Journal Club throughout the academic year.