FB3LNP-Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FB3LNPA Lifestyle, Nutrigenetics and Personalised Nutrition
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Vimal Karani
Email: v.karani@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module deals with human nutrition during the life cycle in health and disease and links this to nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, epigenetics and personalised nutrition. Throughout the module you will study a selection of current issues in nutrition which impinge on lifestyle (diet and physical activity), health, genetic susceptibility and disease and matters relevant to the interface between human nutrition and food science.

Aims:

To provide students with an understanding of clinical, biochemical and molecular genetic basis of complex diseases such as metabolic (obesity and diabetes) and cardiovascular disease- related traits and to provide them with an understanding of topical issues in nutritional sciences which have made major advancements over the decade including the areas of genetic and nutritional epidemiology, gene-diet and gene-physical activity interactions, epigenetics, foetal origin of adult disease and personalised nutrition.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, the student should

• Understand the basics of molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology of multifactorial diseases.


• Understand the flow of biological information and macromolecular interactions in the context of gene expression.


• Have developed an insight into the contribution of genetic variation to disease risk.


• Understand the methods employed to identify human genes involved in metabolic and cardiovascular disease outcomes.


• Have developed an in-depth understanding of the biochemical and clinical aspects of human genetic diseases.


• Have developed an understanding of the impact of lifestyle factors, in particular diet, on the association between genotype and disease.


• Understand the concepts of the contribution of foetal nutrition to later disease development.


• Have developed an understanding of the concept of personalised nutrition

Additional outcomes:

Development of a number of key skills such as critical evaluation, use of on-line databases, presentation and writing skills

Outline content:

During the Autumn Term the module deals with providing lectures on the basics of molecular genetics and genetic epidemiology. Specific topics include: DNA Replication, RNA Transcription, Translation, Principles of genetic epidemiology, gene discovery methods in genetic epidemiology, Clinical genetics, Population genetics and Biochemical genetics.



During the Spring Term, a range of additional topics are covered including: Introduction to gene structure and regulation and chronic diseases, epigenetics, gene-lifestyle interactions – diet and physical activity, diet-genotype interactions- complex traits such as diabetes, obesity and CVDs, Diet genotype interactions- cancer, foetal origin of adult disease and personalised Nutrition.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

During the Autumn Term, the module consists primarily of lectures. The coursework comprises one MCQ blackboard test of 60 minutes (autumn term) and Non-lab based practical class test on Statistical Genetics (spring term). During the Spring Term the module will be primarily taught as informal small group interactive lectures given by academics who have active research groups in the area. There will be non-lab based practical sessions where students will get the opportunity to learn the statist ical methodologies involved in testing gene-diet interactions using the available statistical software. The course work on critical appraisal of the research article will be conducted in the summer term. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	10
Practicals classes and workshops		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	10
Wider reading (directed)	10	10
Exam revision/preparation	30	20
Advance preparation for classes	10	10
Revision and preparation	20	20
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Practical skills assessment	20
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Autumn term: Blackboard Test - MCQ test. Submission Deadline: End of Autumn Term


• Spring term: Non-lab based practical test on Statistical Genetics (via Blackboard). Submission Deadline: End of Spring Term. Submission Deadline(s): End of Spring Term

Final exam will be a course work on ‘Critical appraisal of a research article’. Submission Deadline(s): End of Summer Term

Formative assessment methods:

Class test at the end of each non-lab based practical Session.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Pass mark for the module is 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Written examination during the University re-examination period in August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022