The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) has invited applications for the certificate course in Medical Genetics for the academic year 2011-2012. Genetics is a rapidly advancing science and the Department of Genetics, Immunology, Biochemistry and Nutrition (GIBN), MUHS has started this certificate course in the year 2009.

Medical Genetics covers advanced theory in medical diagnosis of genetic problems and also have expert faculty members in Genetics and Molecular Biology which helps in discussions on the various clinical studies taught during the course. This certificate course is expected to equip the medical fraternity and the technical personnel involved in care of patients and families with knowledge of genetics and molecular biology.

Dr P S Gambhir, professor and head, Department of Genetics, Immunology, Biochemistry and Nutrition says that this course will help students to identify and diagnose common genetic problems, can offer counselling to families with genetic disorders and will develop interest in conducting research related to genetics. He further added, “In future this course will help clinicians in the early diagnosis and intervention in genetic disorders, advanced knowledge will help them in setting up a genetic clinic or counselling cell, provides bright opportunity in the field of Gene therapy and stem cell research and the basic knowledge of genetics will be useful in competitive exams.”

Dr Arun Jamkar, vice chancellor, MUHS said, “The conventional medical curriculum carries less sessions on genetics and therefore to provide the knowledge in genetics we have introduced this course two years back and we have  huge response for the course.” He further said, “This certificate course is a full time six months course specially designed for the students of medicine, dentistry, Life Sciences, nursing, physiotherapy and psychology background.”

Medical Genetics aims to equip the participants with a strong background in the basic principles of genetics which in turn able to give additional insights that modern genetics has brought to this field. It will help the participants to become familiar with the language of genetics and the terminology of molecular biology. Analytical thinking will help them to sensitize more about the various common genetic conditions and the involvement of short term research projects help in enlightening the significance of molecular diagnostics for various hereditary disorders.