Program Requirements
Note: This Collaborative Specialization is only available to students enrolled in PhD level studies.
Students must meet the degree requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, the participating home program, and the Collaborative Specialization.
The student’s thesis in their home graduate program must be in the area of next-generation precision medicine.
The plan of study will include at least 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) comprised of a combination of course modules and the required seminar course.
Students are required to complete PHM1500H Next Generation Precision Medicine Seminar Series (0.5 FCE) once during their PhD. The course is offered annually through the Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Course modules (0.25 or 0.5 FCE each) in each participating department will be recognized by the Collaborative Specialization. Students must take any (one or two) of the modules specified to total 0.5 FCE. With the permission of the Collaborative Specialization Director, additional courses not included in the list below may be considered provided the focus is in the area of this specialization. Please contact prime.education@utoronto.ca for further information.
Seminar Series
PHM1500H: Next Generation Precision Medicine Seminar Series (0.5 FCE)
This course is the required seminar series for the Collaborative Specialization in Next-Generation Precision Medicine offered through the Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The seminar course will take place annually, starting each September and running through to June of the following calendar year. Attendance at 80% of the presentations is required and will be monitored as part of the course credit. Students will be required to enrol in the seminar course once during their studies but may choose to participate (without credit) in other years. While enrolled in the course for credit, students will present their thesis research once and are expected to provide feedback and/or participate in discussions during other presentations.
Course Modules
PHM2102H Module: Introduction to Fundamentals of Drug Discovery (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: A. Aman
This course is intended for graduate students. The course will present an overview of the drug discovery process. Starting with target selection then screening at the target, identification of hits, optimization to lead and preclinical candidate. After successful completion of this course students will have a better understanding of modern drug discovery process in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.
PHM2101H Module: Precision in vitro Diagnostics (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: S. Kelley
This course will cover recent advances in diagnostic medicine that are enabling analysis of clinical specimens with increased sensitivity and speed. Topics covered in this course will include infectious disease diagnostics — including those use to manage the COVID-19 pandemic — as well as the emerging area of liquid biopsy. The basics of diagnostic development will be covered along with information regarding regulatory and commercialization channels. The emphasis of the course will be on new technology platforms that are emerging to enhance global health.
CHM1056H: Techniques for Studying the Chemical, Structural and Dynamic Properties of Biomolecules (0.5 FCE)
Coordinator: V. Kanelis
This course will cover current techniques for studying the structure, chemical properties, and mobility of biological molecules. Techniques will be described in terms of theory and application and will provide a fundamental understanding of the information potential and limitations of each technique. The specific topics will vary, depending on the interests of the faculty and students, but could include mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular modeling and calorimetry. The course will be team-taught by faculty from St. George, UTSC and UTM. Students will be responsible for short (15- to 20-minute) presentations at the end of the course, expanding on specific topics covered in the course. In the spirit of the tri-campus system, lectures will be taught at the campus where each faculty member is located.
CHM1059H: Chemical Biology in Complex Systems (0.5 FCE)
Chemical biology is providing new methods to visualize and quantify processes in intact model organisms. The course will focus on discussion and critiques of the most recent research in chemical biology. Students will develop proposals for new research in the area and go through the peer review process of their ideas. This course is best suited to doctoral students in their second or higher years.
CHM1068H: Topics in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (0.5 FCE)
The course will focus on the use of chemical approaches for answering key biological questions. Topics will include the design of fluorescent probes, the design of inhibitors and reporters of cell function, chemical genetics, caged compounds, techniques for chemical modification of proteins inclduing non-natural amino acid mutagenesis, expansion of the genetic code, combinatorial approaches to the design of proteins and small bioactive compounds, protein design, protein folding and stability, and biological cell-based assays for drug design.
CHE1334H: Organ-on-a-chip Engineering (0.5 FCE)
Instructor: M Radisic
This graduate course will focus on the latest developments in the field of Organ-on-a-Chip Engineering, with a specific focus on Organ-on-a-Chip Industry. Topics related to on-chip engineering of heart, kidney, cancer, vasculature and liver will be discussed.
CHE1333H: Introduction to Nanomaterials and Nanomedicine (0.5 FCE)
Instructor: F. Gu
Overview of principles of nanoengineering for biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This course will study the formulation and manufacturing processes for producing nanomaterials for medical applications; pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, immunogenicity of nanobiomaterials. The course will also introduce basic concepts in entrepreneurship and regulatory affairs associated bringing nano/bio-technologies from a lab environment to commercial products. In addition to course lectures, students will complete two laboratory exercises that will provide hands-on learning in emulsified formulations and characterizations involving nanostructures.
CHE1134H: Advances in Bioengineering (0.5 FCE)
Instructor: E. Master
This course, designed for graduate students whose research is at the interface of Engineering and Biology, will explore recent advances in the areas of bioprocess engineering, environmental microbiology and biotechnology, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics and other related topics. Each week, students will be required to prepare a critical review of assigned high impact journal articles. Discussion of the scientific, technological, environmental, economic, legal and ethical impacts of the research will follow.
CHE1125H: Modelling and Optimization in Biochemical Networks
Instructor: R. Mahadevan
In this course, components of biological networks, their biochemical properties and function along with the technology used for obtaining component lists will be emphasized. Top-down and bottom-up approach to modeling and reconstruction of chemical reaction networks along with biochemical networks, such as metabolic networks, regulatory networks and signaling networks from data will be presented. Mathematical models of reconstructed reaction networks, and simulation of their emergent properties will be studied. The course will also cover classical kinetic theory, network simulation methods and constraints-based models of biochemical networks. Multi-scale modeling methods that integrate multiple cellular processes at different time and length scales will be emphasized. Existing biological models will be described and computations performed. Iterative methods for discovering novel biological function through comparison of model predictions and experimental data will be discussed in the context of Systems Biology and Bioengineering.
CHE1450H: Bioprocess Engineering (prerequisite: JCC1313H or equivalent)
Instructor: C. Lawson
In this course, students will learn theoretical and practical aspects of Bioprocess Engineering which uses biological, biochemical, and chemical engineering principles for the conversion of raw materials to bioproducts in the food, pharmaceutical, fuel, and chemical industries, among others. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of biomanufacturing principles and processes during the upstream production and downstream purification of bioproducts. Microbial and mammalian cell processes will be discussed. Basic concepts of scale up and the types of bioreactors used in industry will be introduced. Challenges in biomanufacturing and process validation will be discussed as well. The course includes (5) labs in which students will apply some of the concepts learned in class.
CHE1471H: Modelling in Biological and Chemical Systems
Instructor: R. Farnood
To review the methodology for the analytical modeling of physical systems with emphasis on chemical engineering applications. The course will cover the following topics: Analysis and Modelling of Physical Systems Review of ODEs’; Mass Balance and Continuity Equation
Species Balance, Stoichiometry and Reaction Kinetics; Force Balances and Mechanics of Materials; Fluid Mechanics and Navier-Stokes Equations; Flow Through Porous Media; Conservation of Mechanical Energy; First Law of Thermodynamics and Thermal Energy Balance
Heat Transfer, Fourier Law, and Equation of Energy; Mass Transfer, Fick’s Law, and Species Continuity Equation; Probabilistic Modelling.
JTC1331H: Biomaterials Science
This course presents an introduction to the science of biomaterials, focusing on polymeric biomaterials and biocompatibility. Topics include biomaterial surface analysis, hydrogel rheology and swelling, protein adsorption, cell adhesion and migration and the foreign body response. Primary focus is on implantable biomaterials but some attention will be given to applications of biomaterials in biotechnology and drug delivery. Specific device or other examples as well as the research literature will be used to illustrate the topic at hand.
LMP2342H: Intellectual Property Fundamentals (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: G. Chan
This course introduces scientists to IP by weaving the basic areas of IP (patents, copyright, trade-marks and trade secrets) with an understanding of inventors’ rights and obligations and the mechanisms by which such rights can be harnessed into the economically beneficial outcomes of commercialization, both within the academic milieu and beyond. Using a case study, students will learn to read and interpret patent documents, conduct patent and trade-mark searches, and gain an understanding of IP matters in the context of commercializing an invention by conducting freedom to operate analyses. The module also includes a panel presentation of the IP policies of the University and its affiliated hospitals to familiarize students with each institution’s inventions policies.
LMP2343H: Applied Intellectual Property (prerequisite: LMP2342H or permission of the program director) (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: G. Chan
This module moves beyond a discussion of basic intellectual property (IP) concepts and provides students with an opportunity to explore the implications of IP development and ownership, both generally and as specifically related to their careers. We will examine the content and key terms of a variety of agreements that impact IP rights including licensing, employment, consulting, and non-disclosure agreements, as well as IP terms of government calls for proposals (i.e. RFPs). Students will also have an opportunity to become conversant in basic ethical issues of IP through an examination of the potential abuses of IP rights, such as anti-competitive behaviour, barriers to IP access, IP non-use, and patent trolling. The module concludes with an overview of business structures, and an introduction to corporate concepts such as shares, share vesting, and financing. Throughout the module, students will have an opportunity to read and discuss recent case law and apply the material through negotiation exercises. Offered: Winter 2021; Thurs 1 – 3pm; Jan 7 – Feb 11
LMP2345H: Procurement, Privacy, and Regulatory Affairs (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: G. Chan
Privacy: Students will be introduced to the privacy legislation applicable in Ontario and Canada, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and the Digital Privacy Act (DPA) to understand the requirements of these pieces of legislation. Procurement: Unlike in a direct-to-consumer business model where a company’s customer is also the purchaser and likely end-user of a product, engaging with a healthcare system is vastly different. Students will be introduced to the concept of supply chain management, (i.e. the processes that manage the flow of goods and services, information and dollars between companies/suppliers, their customers, and end-users), will have an opportunity to explore the challenges of iterating a product though proof of concept, piloting, and early adoption, and will emerge with a deeper understanding of the importance of clearly identifying the customer, payer, and end user for a product or service. Regulatory Affairs: Students will be introduced to the regulatory lifecycles of medical devices through sessions led by domain experts and will address how a variety of standardized practice guidelines, including good laboratory practices (GLPs), good clinical practices (GCPs), good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and quality systems regulations (QSPs), dictate the types of data required for quality review and approval of regulatory submissions.
LMP2346H: Grant Writing (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: S. Marshall
This module focuses on building structured outlines and learning how to solidify your objectives when writing a grant application. The module also teaches students to conduct a thorough background research in order to create a strong rationale and plan. Lastly, the module teaches students to carefully edit their application to enhance the clarity and credibility and to engage reviewers.
LMP2347H: Economics of Healthcare (0.25 FCE)
Instructor: T. Lomasko
“Health economics” can be defined as the application of Economic principles, theories, tools and concepts to the topics of health and healthcare in order to manage health institutions and health delivery system efficiently. Health economics studies issues related to the efficient utilization of scarce economic resources (e.g., Human resource, materials, and financial resources) to improve health. This includes both resource allocation within the economy to the health sector and within the healthcare system to different activities and individuals. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to fundamental concepts of economics as it is applied to healthcare, with an emphasis on innovation.
MMG1319H: Genomics of Infectious Diseases (0.25 FCE)
MMG1324H: Mitochondrial Genetics in Health and Disease (0.25 FCE)
This course will focus on understanding how mitochondrial genomes are maintained, inherited and expressed, and how their dysfunction contributes to diseases such as cancer. Students will learn both fundamental concepts as well as recent advances in the field of mitochondrial genetics.
MMG3204H: Practical Applications of Genome Interpretation (prerequisite: MMG3003Y or equivalent) (0.25 FCE)
This module offers opportunities to engage with industry experts on technical aspects of variant interpretation and learning from genome analysts who are experts in a range of disease areas. Students will gain insights into up and coming technologies at the edge of current clinical practice. Furthermore, students will expand their variant interpretation skills by working through case studies for different diseases and with experts from various specialties.
MMG3205H: Research Topics in Medical Genomics (0.25 FCE)
This module is a component of the MMG 3006Y umbrella course. It’s organized as a short course of lectures, discussion, and student-led seminars designed to be highly engaging, dynamic, and likely different each time it runs. This is where students can expect to be exposed to the bleeding edge of the field of genomic medicine and where they will position themselves at the vanguard of the field. They will learn about cutting-edge technologies that may or may not yet have reached the clinic directly from the experts researching, developing, and using them. This seminar class will provide a survey of topics and is rooted in a journal-club style of discursive learning. It will include primarily the assessment of individual work.