Course Syllabus

Freshman Seminar - Genomics and Gene Therapy: How Genes Control You and How You Can Control Them

FRS 003      Sec. 014 (1 unit)    CRN 44454    Tuesdays 4:10-5:00pm   GenBio (GBSF) 

Instructor: David Segal <djsegal@ucdavis.edu>, Genome Center and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine.

1. Course description/ goals: We are now living in a world in which we can alter our DNA. As of 2017, gene therapy is now a thing, and gene editing is in clinical trials. Would you like to learn how this is done and where it's going? This seminar is intended to provide science and non-science majors with an overview of the use and ethics of genome sequencing, gene therapy, and CRISPR/Cas gene editing. Topics to be covered will include an introduction to the human genome, what is a genetic disease, and how recent advances have enabled scientists to attempt to fix genetic diseases. Anyone curious about what information is in the human genome and how that information might be used to improve public health is welcomed to attend.

One goal of this course is to develop effective communication skills, both between the instructor and the students, and the students with each other. The content will therefore be delivered in discussions, debate teams, peer feedback on writings, and a tour of the genome center. In addition to learning about our genes and gene therapy, the students will learn to work together to increase their knowledge and share it with others. These interactions, discussions and debates, will works towards our other goal of cultivating ethics, responsibility, honor, acceptance, respect, and empathy.

2. Format: The seminar will be one hour per week for ten weeks. There will be two informal lectures for orientation and introduction to the basics. The subsequent format will be discussions, debates, and presentations based on reading materials, including articles from scientific journals and popular sources. A 1-credit class averages 2-hours outside of the class per week (20 total hours). All reading materials will be provided. Participants will also write two 1-page papers on topics related to gene therapy. One session will be reserved for a tour of the UC Davis Genome Center to see where this work is actually done. The last few sessions will be reserved for group presentations in which 3-4 students will present progress in a particular area of gene therapy. The format and details of the group presentations will be discussed during the class. 

3. Topic Outline:

Read “As D.I.Y. Gene Editing Gains Popularity, ʻSomeone Is Going to Get Hurtʼ" and "Governor Signs Senator Chang’s Bill to Address Human Biohacking"

Oct 1: Introduction to the Human Genome, lecture; course overview

Read  “Boy in school flap over cystic fibrosis”

Oct 8: Genetic discrimination, debate teams

Write 1 pg paper on “ FDA shuts down 23andMe”

Oct 15: Peer feedback and discussion.

Take online Quiz 1

Oct 22: Introduction to Gene Therapy, lecture and discussion

Read “Germline vs. somatic gene therapy” and "Gene-editing breakthrough in China comes with urgent call for global rules".

Oct 29: Germline gene therapy, debate teams

Nov 5: Tour of Genome Center Labs 

Write 1 pg paper on “World’s Costliest Medicine Is Gene Treatment Priced at $2 Million”

Nov 12: Gene therapy: The first approved gene therapy: Glybera, group presentation 

Take online Quiz 2

Nov 19: Gene therapy of blood disease: Strimvelis, group presentation

Nov 26: Gene therapy of cancer: Kymriah, group presentation

Dec 3: Gene therapy of neurologic disorders: Luxturna, group presentation; course evaluation

Take online Quiz 3

4. Grading: Pass/Fail. The grade of PASS is awarded to undergraduate students for work in courses that otherwise would receive a grade of C– or better. Evidence of preparation and active participation in discussions and group presentations will be 40% of the course grade. Another 30% will be based on three take home short quizzes to evaluate if participants are understanding the key concepts as we go along. The remaining 30% will be based on the two writing assignments. All students are required to know and adhere to the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct.

5. About the instructor: David Segal holds joint appointments in the UC Davis Genome Center, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, the Department of Pharmacology, and the M.I.N.D. Institute. He is the co-Chair of the Integrative Genetics and Genomics (IGG) graduate program and director of the Center for Interventional Genetics. This will be his 18th time teaching this seminar. His research interest is in genome and epigenetic editing using CRISPR as therapy for genetic disorders. He is also aware that research scientists often do a poor job of communicating their science to non-scientists, fueling public anxiety about new technological advances. This seminar therefore aims to demystify, discuss, and invite critical thinking on new frontiers of biomedical science.