Module: 2
Sponsoring Program: BMI
Administrator: Rebecca Dawson

STUDY LIST INFORMATION
Course Number: BMI 219
Course Name: Phenotyping Tumors Using Liquid Biopsies
Units: 3
Grading Option: S/U
Course Director: David Quigley

MORE COURSE INFORMATION
Dates: April 22-May 10
Campus: MB
Location: BH 209
Schedule: M/W/F, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Minimum Class Size: 6
Maximum Class Size: 18

Genome sequencing methods that identify somatic variants and estimate transcriptional activity are increasingly supplementing traditional pathology methods. Solid tissue biopsies required for these assays can be difficult or impossible to obtain. Novel non-invasive methods that assess tumor phenotypes using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) isolated from plasma have opened new translational and fundamental applications in cancer biology and therapy. We will learn how somatic and epigenetic alterations are measured in ctDNA. We'll then evaluate recently developed methods that estimate tumor transcriptional activity, identify tumor subtypes, and identify therapy resistance using methylation, DNA fragment profiling (fragmentomics), and protein binding assays. Participants should have a working knowledge of cancer genetics and cell biology.