Bioanalytical Laboratory Diagnostics in Medicine - Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics

The study programme Bioanalytical Laboratory Diagnostics in Medicine - Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics is a master's programme aimed at preparing non-medical healthcare professionals profiled to work in clinical laboratories performing genetic or molecular biological laboratory diagnostics. This programme is directly related to the Bachelor's programme Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics taught at the Faculty of Science of MU and includes specialised lectures, practical exercises and professional practice focusing on the application of genetic and molecular biological methods in clinical laboratories. It deepens the basic knowledge in the field of clinical genetics, molecular biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, molecular biology of tumours, molecular diagnostics and provides the skills and knowledge needed to work with laboratory technology, especially to perform highly specialised laboratory methods and diagnostic procedures based on DNA and RNA analyses in clinical laboratories, to interpret the results of laboratory tests and to manage the quality control of these laboratories in routine diagnostics and research. It also provides the necessary practice in clinical laboratories and prepares graduates to obtain professional competence to practice the non-medical health profession of laboratory methods.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• possess clear theoretical knowledge of molecular biology of eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses, be familiar with the basics of immunogenetics, basics of clinical oncology and molecular biology of tumours
• demonstrate detailed knowledge of medical genetics, genetic counselling and human molecular biology
• sufficiently master specialized molecular biological and genetic laboratory and diagnostic techniques, to master modern methods for the analysis of the human genome
• perform specialised diagnostic procedures in medical institutions on the basis of physicians' indications; introduce new analytical methods and procedures, including optimal organisation of internal quality control programmes and inter-laboratory com
• perform diagnostics of hereditary diseases at the level of chromosomal abnormalities as well as DNA and RNA diagnostics of mutational changes and to perform cytogenetic and molecular biological laboratory tests in hematological malignancies and solid
• use his/her practical skills and knowledge of the principles of cellular and molecular biology and genetics in the diagnosis of pathogenic microorganisms, pathological conditions of cells and genomes and assessment of related risk factors
• orientate himself/herself in the basic legal and ethical problems of clinical medicine
• operate basic and sophisticated laboratory and instrumental techniques in accordance with standard operating procedures
• independently obtain and process current scientific information from relevant sources, critically evaluate it and process it into comprehensive communications
• work with professional literature and information resources in English
• master the requirements of the accreditation process of clinical laboratories with regard to national standards, especially ISO 15189:2013, and will be able to implement them in practice.

Graduates of the programme are prepared to work in clinical laboratories focused on genetics, cytogenetics or DNA diagnostics, where they will apply their theoretical and practical skills in genetic examinations of patients and their family members or in molecular biological diagnostics of organisms, pathological conditions of cells and genomes. The Master's professionally oriented study programme Bioanalytical Laboratory Diagnostics in Medicine - Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics is designed so that after completing the Master's studies, graduates will be qualified to work in state and private healthcare institutions on the basis of obtaining professional competence to perform the non-medical healthcare profession of a professional worker in laboratory methods according to Act No. 96/2004 Coll., § 26.

• Profession of Specialist in Laboratory Methods and in the Preparation of Medicinal Products

Due to the professional focus, the practical laboratory teaching, which is compulsory for students, is strengthened in this Master's programme. In total, the students complete approximately 540 hours of practical teaching during the Master's studies in a 13-week semester structure, which includes an hour subsidy for the experimental part of the thesis and the compulsory practice in clinical laboratories.

The master thesis is the basic experimental project by which the student demonstrates his/her professional, scientific and professional competences. Students solve their diploma theses assigned exclusively in the field of biomedicine and laboratory diagnostics in cooperation with external departments from state and private medical institutions as well as newly established research centres dealing with biomedical research topics. The two-year thesis includes work with professional information (literature search, classification, preparation of professional text), extensive experimental work (mastering specific methodologies, evaluation, presentation of results and critical discussion). In the course of the master thesis students are practically acquainted with the activities of laboratories where specialized genetic or molecular biological laboratory tests are performed. In regular diploma seminars during the course of their studies, graduates develop skills in professional discussion and communication, presentation of their work and critical thinking. Formal requirements are described on the Institute's website.

Master's graduates are also fully qualified to pursue doctoral studies in doctoral programmes focused on genetics, molecular and cellular biology or biomedicine.