This course is offered in collaboration with the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” and will be taught by a Demokritos researcher/scientist. Classes will be held at the facilities of Demokritos.

Have you ever wondered how genetic material in the form of DNA or chromosomes constitutes the language of life?

Have you ever considered why genetic tests have become increasingly important in recent years in the diagnosis of certain hereditary diseases or other multifactorial diseases?

Have you ever wanted to be an expert in crime investigation or explore your ancestry?

Have you ever tried to find how environmental genotoxic exposure induces DNA damage and genetic diseases?

In this course we will address these and many other questions. The current course focuses on human Genetics and its applications in human life. We will cover a variety of genetic applications from medicine to social life. Genetic material in the form of DNA or chromosomes constitutes the language of life. Genetic tests have become increasingly important in recent years in the diagnosis of certain hereditary diseases or other multifactorial diseases contributing to prevention, early diagnosis and/or treatment selection of patients (e.g. personalized medical treatment, gene therapies). This course is relevant to wider social contexts as people’s genetic information is increasingly being used for a wide range of non-clinical purposes, such as crime investigations, determining paternity and exploring one’s ancestry.

The aim of the course is students to familiarize themselves with Genetics and its applications to human life, especially in current medical practice and research but also in society. Moreover, to understand how genetic variations influences brain function, social behavior, educational attainment and our health. The course is adapted to be understandable to all the students regardless the field of their studies. It is relevant to any academic and social context. Non previous knowledge is required and the class work will be sufficient for their exams. In the frame of this course, lectures and laboratory practice of students will take place at NCSR ‘Demokritos”.