(More course options will be available pending for approval)

MMDP7006 Dissertation (18 credits)
A dissertation of at least 5,000 words (excluding references), to demonstrate application of the knowledge acquired from this curriculum. Students are required to consult the capstone supervisor for guidance in the selection of topic and writing of the capstone report.

The dissertation may be based on clinical or laboratory data obtained from the candidate’s or supervisor’s workplace or practice, or a review of existing literature and should demonstrate any of the following aspects: assessing the need, applicability/cost effectiveness of specific molecular tests in Hong Kong or abroad; surveying the relative frequency/characteristics of specific disease profiles in relation to molecular/genetic testing; addressing possible drawbacks or ethical issues; quality assurance measures to be considered specifically in this setting, etc.

CORE

MMDP7001 Principles and Techniques of Molecular Pathology (9 credits)
This course will provide an introduction to diagnostic molecular pathology tests and the techniques of molecular pathology, such as RNA, DNA and protein analysis, the principles and applications of quantitative-PCR, the principles of automated DNA sequencing and the various methods of genotyping and mutation analysis, human identity by DNA typing, basic concepts in conventional cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetics, in-situ hybridization techniques (ISH, FISH, CISH, SISH) and the principles and applications of flow cytometry. The emerging technologies of gene expression profiling and next generation sequencing will also be introduced. The consideration of laboratory management and ethical issues in molecular testing, with regard to laboratory organization and safety will be covered.

MMDP7002 Clinical Applications of Molecular Testing (9 credits)
The focus of this course is the principles of molecular testing with regard to clinical applications. This includes principles of HPV testing, its clinical relevance and the various methods of genotyping; hepatitis B virus infection – testing for viral load and HBV DNA mutants detection; methodologies for detection  and quantification of EBV DNA plasma for EBV associated diseases; KRAS mutation detection for colorectal cancer; targeting KRAS mutation in activity-based compounds for cancer therapy; gene rearrangement studies and gene expression profiling for haematolymphoid malignancies; detection of BCR/ABL fusion transcript and kinase domain mutation in CML; EGFR and other common molecular targets in lung cancer management; c-kit mutation in GISTs; RET and Menin gene mutation in MEN syndromes; quantitative in-situ hybridization for HER2 amplification; molecular strategies for detecting chromosomal translocations in soft tissue tumours; and laboratory management issues in molecular testing.

MMDP7003 Fundamentals of Genetic Testing for Hereditary Disorders (9 credits)
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to molecular genetics. It will cover the molecular genetics in paediatrics; genetic testing for familial colorectal cancer; genetic testing for familial breast and ovarian cancer; genetic diagnosis of globin disorders; molecular genetics of lipid disorders; and laboratory management issues in genetic testing. A three-day practical laboratory session will be conducted for all registrants of MMDP7001/7002/7003 which will provide hands-on laboratory experience of the various techniques involved in molecular testing. The session will be arranged over the weekend with opportunity for overseas students to attend in person if possible.

ELECTIVES

MMDP7004 Chemical Pathology, Diagnostic Haematology and Transfusion Medicine (9 credits)
This course will cover topics on the interferences in laboratory testing; clinical toxicology; diabetes mellitus and endocrine disorders; renal and liver function tests; cardiac markers; point-of-care testing; tumour markers; diagnostic haematology tests; haemoglobinopathies; clotting issues; transfusion medicine; and laboratory management. Laboratory visit will be arranged.

MMDP7005 Essential Anatomical Pathology of Epithelial Tumors (6 credits)
This course introduces essential concepts of anatomical pathology in relation to tumours of the breast, the respiratory tract, liver and GI tract and common gynaecological diseases, such as the relevance of classification, cytological, histopathological and molecular considerations and devices, for diagnosis and management, including laboratory management.

MMDP7015 Essential Anatomical Pathology of Non-epithelial Tumors (3 credits)
This course introduces essential concepts of anatomical pathology in relation to non-epithelial tumours, including bone and soft tissue tumours, tumours of the central nervous system, endocrine tumours and haematolymphoid malignancies, such as the relevance of classification, cytological, histopathological and molecular testing for diagnosis and management.

MMDP7007 Practical Course in Laboratory Methods (6 credits)

This course provides practical sessions on tissue processing, immunohistochemistry and histological analysis; basic tissue culture techniques and flow cytometry analysis; extraction methods for DNA, RNA, protein and electrophoresis; and reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing.

MMDP7008 Molecular Microbiology (3 credits)
This course introduces molecular approaches including MALDI-TOF-MS technology, rapid viral quantitation and drug resistance determination, the principles of molecular phylogenetic analysis and molecular typing method for clinical application in bacteriology, virology, mycology and parasitology, epidemiological surveillance and outbreak management. Laboratory and epidemiological considerations for data interpretation, and the limitations and future perspectives of genomic techniques with be addressed. Bacterial pathogens include typical and atypical, mycobacterium species, the diagnosis of sepsis, infections of gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. Clinical application in virology include viral pathogens: hepatitis, enteric and respiratory viruses; rapid quantitation of HIV and drug resistance determination; clinical application in mycology and parasitology - fungal pathogens, parasitic pathogens.

MMDP7009 Clinical Applications of Genetic Testing in Inherited Diseases and Genetic Counselling (9 credits)
This course introduces the general principles of cytogenetics, biochemical genetics and molecular genetics in genetic testing and the various laboratory techniques for identification of disease-causing mutations. Through the practical sessions and group discussion, students will learn how to read a laboratory report. Topics will include principles of genetic counselling with its ethical and legal aspects; bioinformatics for mutation reporting; biochemical diagnosis of acute inborn errors of metabolism patients; autistic spectrum disorder; renal and pulmonary genetics; pharmacogenetics; neurogenetics and neuromuscular disease; Pre-natal genetics including constitutional cytogenetics, pre-natal molecular cytogenetics, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis with practicum in interpretation of reports; clinical genome and exome sequencing with NGS case application; clinical consultation cases tutorial; the undiagnosed diseases programme; tutorials on neurogenetics and neuromuscular disease, inherited metabolic disease and endocrine disorders, inherited bone disease, mitochondrial disease, lysosomal storage disease. Laboratory visit to the Centre for Panoramic Science which provides comprehensive genomics and bioinformatics, as well as proteomics, metabolomics, imaging and flow cytometry services and platforms by the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong will be arranged.

MMDP7019 Applications of Emerging Technologies for Genetic Testing (9 credits)
This advanced course introduces third generation long-read sequencing with its clinical applications. Clinical bioinformatics including the polygenic risk score will also be introduced. Bioinformatics for mutation reporting in chemical pathology and haematology as well as clinical applications of next-generation sequencing for solid tumours will be covered. The Human Genome Project in Hong Kong will be introduced. Other topics include mass-spectrometry (protein/metabolite) for drug discovery; expanded new-born screening for metabolic disease; inherited cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia disorders, artificial intelligence and CRIPSR gene editing technology for treatment and diagnosis. Laboratory visits to genetic laboratories in Hong Kong will be arranged.

MMDP7010 Renal Pathology, Immunology and Transplant Related Pathology (9 credits)
This course will cover topics on the basic immunology concepts in relation to transplantation; the role of immunogenetics in transplantation; basics of renal biopsy: laboratory handling and principles of pathological interpretation; native renal biopsy: glomerular diseases and tubular, interstitial and vascular diseases; allograft biopsy: introduction and Banff classification of renal transplant pathology and allograft pathology; liver transplant pathology; lung transplant pathology; cardiac transplant pathology; bone marrow transplant related pathology; basic techniques and management in clinical laboratory immunology; routine immunochemistry, autoantibody and clinical laboratory immunology tests with case study, tutorial on the service of a referral centre and laboratory visit.