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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
MD Education Program

Genetics in Medicine Scholarly Concentration

Medical genetics is rapidly changing and shaping patient care. Therefore, it is imperative that clinicians understand cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment approaches. This concentration provides a deep dive into the latest genetic developments and concepts that are transforming the practice of medicine. Students may explore clinical research (including lab diagnostics and gene therapy), clinical case reports with literature reviews, or new areas of interest. Students will have the opportunity to interact with clinical geneticists, laboratory geneticists, and genetic counselors to have a better understanding of the intersection of these roles with other medical specialties.

Location

All coursework (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship, Online Clinical Case, and Genomic Medicine Journal Club courses) takes place in Indianapolis. The scholarly project typically occurs in Indianapolis.  

Curriculum and Timeline

Students completing the Medical Genetics concentration fulfill the same core curriculum as students in other concentrations. The didactic components provide a strong academic and experiential foundation in medical genetics that is vital for completion of the core curriculum project and product.

Topic-Specific Courses

Effective Communications in Genomic Medicine

Genomic Medicine Journal Club

Online Clinical Case Review

Essential Laboratory Translation in Genomic Medicine

Core Curriculum

Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship

Scholarly Concentration Project

Scholarly Concentration Product

Recommended Pathway

Phase 1 Year 1

  • No courses

Summer 1

  • Essential Laboratory Translation in Genomic Medicine — One week in summer (May-August); in person

  • Effective Communications in Genomic Medicine — Offered Tuesdays 5–6 p.m., June and July; in person

  • Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship — Offered in the summer; online asynchronous

  • Online Clinical Case Review — Offered in the summer and continues longitudinally until complete; online asynchronous

  • Genomic Medicine Journal Club — Begins in the summer and continues longitudinally until complete. Meets at 5 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, with minor exceptions; online synchronous

  • Scholarly Concentration Project — Begins in the summer and continues longitudinally until complete. Location by agreement with concentration leaders and mentor. IMPRS Summer Research Program serves as a launching pad for the Scholarly Concentration Project.

Phase 1 Year 2

  • Online Clinical Case Review continues
  • Genomic Medicine Journal Club continues
  • Scholarly Concentration Project continues

Phase 2

  • Scholarly Concentration Project continues
  • Scholarly Concentration Product — Begins in Phase 2 and continues until complete. Location by agreement with concentration leaders and mentor.

Phase 3

  • Scholarly Concentration Project continues
  • Scholarly Concentration Product continues

This table shows that the first topic specific course should begin during the summer between first and second year of med school and completed by the end of phase one year two, the second and third topic specific courses should be completed during the summer between the first and second year of med school. The fourth course should begin during the summer between first and second year of med school and completed by the end of phase one in year two. The fifth topic specific course should begin during the summer between first and second year of med school and completed by the end of phase one year two. The two remaining courses, project and product, are longitudinal. The project can begin the summer between first and second year of med school, while the product should begin during phase two. Both the project and product should conclude on or before the end of fourth year.

Students determine if a concentration pathway will fit in their schedule by contacting concentration co-directors.

Scholarly Project Topic Examples

Students work with faculty to complete a project in a relevant topic based on student interests such as case reports, basic research focused on genetic techniques, or exploring model of genetic dysfunction. Students are welcome to come up with their own project idea. Potential project topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Genetic case reports
  • Synthesis of new genetic data supporting syndrome ID
  • Expanding care to patients who typically do not receive genetic testing
  • Longitudinal care of patient cohorts
  • Case studies of CAR-T and gene therapies in specific genetic conditions
  • Implementing clinical trials in gene therapy
  • Clinical correlation of abnormal metabolite findings
  • Clinical utility of chromosomal microarray analysis in the era of whole genome sequencing and whole exome sequencing
  • Clinical validity of APOL1 in chronic kidney disease progression
  • Cardiovascular genetics
  • Neurogenetics
  • Cancer genetics

Co-Directors

Students should reach out to co-directors with any questions about this concentration.

3060-Herbert, Brittney-Shea

Brittney-Shea Herbert, PhD

Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Medical & Molecular Genetics

Bio and Contact Information

38482-Graham, Brett

Brett H. Graham, MD, PhD

Professor of Medical & Molecular Genetics
Director of Clinical Genetics

Bio and Contact Information

map shows the location of the genetics in medicine concentration in Indianapolis
MD Student News

In their words: Scholarly Concentration Q&A with Genetics in Medicine co-directors

Dan Brady, PhD, and Theodore Wilson, MD, share the details of the Genetics in Medicine Scholarly Concentration, which provides a deep-dive into the latest genetic developments and concepts that are transforming the practice of medicine.