At the end of the module the student will be able to:     

1. Explain DNA; RNA; proteomics and detection systems; bioinformatics; genetics; SNPs; model systems; and ethics.

2. Explain Nutrigenomics (Implications of the Human Genome Project for understanding gene –diet interaction, Genetic variations, nutrition, preventive medicine and personalized diets).

3. Highlight nutrient sensors (regulation of gene expression; lipids as ligands for nuclear receptors: PPAR, RXR, SREBP; glucose and insulin signaling; gene–diet and gene –gene interactions).

4. Understand genomics from nutritional perspective (Principles, tools, polymorphisms, genotypes, phenotypes).

5. Explain genetic individuality and dietary responses (Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and Bioinformatics in Nutritional Sciences).

6. Highlight methods to study cellular responses to changes in the nutritional environment: Functional nutrigenomics I: Transcriptomics and Proteomics (Expression microarrays, data analysis, examples on application)

7. Discuss functional nutrigenomics II: Methyl donors and Epigenetics

8. Explain nutrient-gene interaction and complex diseases (Genetic susceptibility to diets, Models; Biomarkers; Evidence-based nutrition and Epidemiology)

9. Elucidate folic acid and homocysteine metabolism –choline, MTHFR polymorphisms

10. Comprehend dietary lipids, lipoprotein responses to diet and genetics of atherosclerosis (polymorphisms of genes involved in lipid/cholesterol biosynthesis and transport)

11. Elucidate metabolic Syndrome (obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia; genetic influences and molecular biomarkers for preventive therapies)

12.Understand genetic and environmental influences on cancer prevention (polymorphisms of cancer genes, regulatory enzymes, nutrients as cofactors and antioxidants; DNA methylation, histones and acethylation)