Period
May 17 – June 4, 2010
Aims
the student can describe the link between the complex of abnormalities that comprise the “Metabolic Syndrome” and the development of premature cardiovascular disease;
the student is able to implement this knowledge in a review and translate this knowledge into a written research proposal and a presentation.
Sub-aims:
gain insight in current research into Metabolic Syndrome and cardiovascular disease at the LUMC;
identify topics of interest and define current status of the field.
Contents
The metabolic syndrome is defined by the co-occurrence of obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and low grade inflammation. It may be obvious that the metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with the increased dysbalance between energy intake and expenditure in the Western world. The main complications of the Metabolic Syndrome are type 2 diabetes and premature cardiovascular disease. This course will provide detailed insight into the latest developments in fundamental biological research aimed at understanding the different aspect of the metabolic syndrome as well as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. General and detailed overviews will be given by both basic scientists as well as physician-scientists. PhD-students will present their projects to illustrate the scientific approaches taken to address the various questions concerning metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Some practical studies as well as demonstrations will be included for illustration purposes.
Programme
In this three weeks course, one week will be devoted to lectures, discussions and self-study assignments on the different aspects of the metabolic syndrome and one week to cardiovascular disease. Some three to four afternoons will be spent on practical insight and will include some (self-)experimentation (for example a fat and glucose tolerance test) and demonstrations. The third week is assigned for the writing of a review, with the assistance of an assigned tutor from within the departments.
Approximately half of the lectures will be given by PhD students and they will try to enthuse you for their specific research question. The other half of the lectures will be given by more senior scientists and clinicians and will include more review.
Competences
This course will particularly work on:
Research competences:
Critical appraisal of data presentations, defining relevant research areas, writing a literature review.
Professional competences:
Understanding the problems associated with complex disorders, collaborating with peers, digesting of other people’s opinions during tutor meetings while writing the WR and preparing the OR, which represent state of the art research based on literature.
Form of tuition
Lecture, self study, work group, practical, joint project.
Mode of assessment
Oral report, written report, review, student behaviour.
Recommended prior knowledge
No special requirements in addition to indicated level.