Genomics in Cancer Pathology 15 credits

The aim of this microcredential is to equip the student with knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer development. This will include the ways in which interrogation of a person’s own genome and the genome of neoplastic cells can facilitate the diagnosis and personalised treatment of cancer.

This microcredential covers the molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer development, growth and metastasis, and the differences between different cancers. It will explore the different molecular and cellular actions of anti-cancer treatments, the genomic factors affecting response and resistance to treatment, and the research approaches to anti-cancer drug design and development. Broad situations which confer a high cancer risk to a person and/or to other members of the same family will be discussed in the context of how genomic information may be integrated into cancer screening programmes, and the impact this may have on the patient and their family. This module will also prepare students to interrogate the cancer data sets from the 100,000 Genomes Project if relevant for their research project.

Microcredential content

• Cellular properties of tumours: growth, division, invasion, aberrant hormone or toxin production, and immunogenicity, including T cell and B cell repertoire profiling.
• Tumour classification systems.
• Factors in tumour formation: molecular mechanisms and role of microenvironment, molecular signatures and changing classification.
• Diagnosis, molecular sub-classification, aggressiveness (prognosis) characterisation of metastases.
• Breakthrough tumour/metastases and molecular mechanisms
• Genomic testing of solid tumours and haematological cancers, including: importance of sample quality; and testing of cell free tumour DNA in blood, for diagnosis and monitoring of solid cancers.
• Analytical and interpretation challenges in genomics as applied to cancer, including an awareness of standardised nomenclature used when reporting results.
• Genomic and cellular markers and optimal treatment regimes in haematological cancer and solid tumours, including: companion diagnostics in cancer; and shared decision making with the patient.
• Monitoring disease following treatment (medical, surgical or bone marrow transplant).
• Molecular basis of germline mutations for cancer predisposition, including: genomic testing strategies; interpretation of results for pathogenicity; and familial implications, including presymptomatic testing, and options for screening and prophylactic treatment.
• Approaches to identify new genes and susceptibility loci: GWAS studies; other predisposition biomarkers.
• Environmental factor and lifestyle predisposition and protection; molecular action; genomic interaction.
• Approaches to identify new genes and susceptibility loci: GWAS studies; other predisposition biomarkers.
• Environmental factor and lifestyle predisposition and protection; molecular action; genomic interaction; epigenetic factors.
• Role of genomics in drug development, and the role of clinical trials as part of treatment.

Attendance required

On campus teaching will take place on 5 days: 

• 3rd, 4th, 5th, 13th, and 14th November 2025.

Credits

15 credits

You should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background. You should either take An Introduction to Human Genetics and Genomics and Omics Techniques and their Application to Genomic Medicine first, or be able to show you have equivalent knowledge and understanding to enable you to benefit from this microcredential.

Please contact the Programme Administrator for further information at genomics@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Please note this microcredential is available for home applicants only.

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.