Evolutionary Medicine

Objectives

The students will be exposed to concepts, models and methodologies of Evolutionary Biology with particular relevance to the research that is done in each specific field and its applicability to the problems of Medicine. Are objectives of this course that students will acquire the basic concepts of Evolutionary Biology and develop the ability to apply them to the problems of Medicine and Public Health. In particular, it is expected that the students will learn how to identify processes of somatic evolution that occur within the lifespan of an organism as well as evolutionary processes that act on the germinal line and can modulate the genetic composition of human populations. Finally, it is also aimed that the students will develop a critical thinking of the scientific literature in Evolutionary Medicine.

General characterization

Code

11169

Credits

Responsible teacher

Prof.ª Doutora Patrícia Brito

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Bibliography

Evolutionary Medicine, 2016, Stearns, S. and Medzhitov, R, Sinauer Ass.

Alcock J, Schwartz MD. 2011. A clinical perspective in evolutionary medicine: what we wish we had learned in medical school. Evo Edu Outreach:16.
Nesse RM, Bergstrom CT, Ellison PT, et al. 2010. Making evolutionary biology a basic science for medicine. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 107:18001807.
Naxerova, K and Jain, RK. 2015. Using tumour phylogenetics to identify the roots of metastasis in humans. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 12(5):258-72.
Greaves M, and Maley CC. 2012. Clonal evolution in cancer. Nature. 481(7381):306-13
Okin D, Medzhitov R.2012. Evolution of inflammatory diseases. Curr Biol.22(17):R733-40.
Bach JF. 2002. The effect of infections on susceptibility to autoimmune and allergic diseases. N Engl J Med.347(12):911-20.

Teaching method

The classes start with a theoretical exposition of the main concepts in evolutionary theory and their application to the problems of Medicine. It will follow a discussion where the students are expected to integrate what was taught with the readings done before class. Whenever possible we will discuss current research in the field of Evolutionary Medicine.

Evaluation method

Assessment throughout the semester (40%) with final exam (60%). Students must obtain a grade of at least 10 in the in-class assessment component, as well as an attendance of at least 2/3 of the classes to be eligible for the final exam. In-class assessment includes 4 quizzes. The three best results will be averaged and will account for 60% of this grade. The remaining 40% correspond to preparation, attendance, and participation in class. The final exam will consist of both multiple choice and short-answer questions to be answered in limited space.

Subject matter

INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE.
Scientific reasoning in Evolution. Mutation, genetic drift, natural selection and adaptation. Phylogenetic methods.

EVOLUTIONARY CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PATIENT.
Human evolutionary history. Adaptation, evolutionary tradeoffs and phylogenetic constraints in the human species. Somatic evolution in the reproductive system and in the immune system.

EVOLUTIONARY CHARACTERIZATION OF THE DISEASE.
Mechanisms of homeostasis, maintenance and defense. Evolutionary theories on aging and longevity.

PATHOGEN EVOLUTION, EVOLUTION IN THE CONTEXT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
The human microbiome: symbionts vs. pathogens; Evolution of virulence. Evolutionary analysis of the dynamics of viral diseases. Development of antibiotic resistance, and evolutionarily robust therapeutic strategies.

EVOLUTION AND CANCER.
Clonal evolution in cancer and phylogenetic inference of cancer lines.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught:

Integrated Master Degree in Medicine