PHPS40730 Molecular Nutrition

Academic Year 2022/2023

The Molecular Nutrition module covers the broad area of molecular nutrition, nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics. It focuses on how food / nutrition interact with the human genome with a view to understanding the molecular processes that explain diet-related diseases. The module explores this from two perspectives. Firstly, gene-nutrient interactions, wherein an individual's genetic background modulates their sensitivity to nutrient intake. Secondly, nutrient-gene/protein/metabolome interactions, describes how nutrient intake modulates transcription, translation and metabolic process important in health and disease.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module should be able to: Understand the concept of genetic variability and risk of diet related disease. Appreciate how nutrients interact and modulate nutrient sensitive transcription factors. Understand how nutrients may affect post-translational modification of proteins with functional consequences on metabolism. Comprehend the cellular, tissue and organ specific effects of foods and nutrients ? linking the cell with whole body metabolism, health and disease state.

Indicative Module Content:

Principles of molecular nutrition
Genes & Nutrition
Nutrient regulation of gene & protein expression - transcriptomics and proteomics
Metabolomic and lipidomics approaches in human nutrition
Novel markers of nutrition & health – Nutritional Systems Biology
Epigenetics
Nutrigenomics & Health Throughout the Life-cycle
Cellular basis of Metabolic Health & Disease

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Total

24
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Critical appraisal of key papers - Hot Topic sessions
Critical writing - Hot Topic Commentary
Presentation - Hot Topic Presentation in class 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

BIOC20040
FDSC20060


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Required:
BIOC20040 - The Molecular Basis of Life, HNUT20060 - Human Nutrition II

Additional Information:
Required modules: one of BIOC20040/HNUT20060.

Equivalents:
Molecular Nutrition (FDSC40200), Molecular Nutrition (HNUT40200)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of Module Exam - with MCQ element 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded Yes

75
Continuous Assessment: Hot Topic Assignment and Presentation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

There will be 6 Hot Topic Sessions throughout the module. Four-five students will give presentations at each Hot Topic Session, as part of their Hot Topic Assignment. At the end of this session, the students will receive feedback based on their presentations.

Name Role
Caoileann Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring