The understanding of the role of genomic and epigenomic changes in the development of a number of diseases and disorders has increased rapidly. New techniques have allowed analysis of chromosomal rearrangements, gene sequences, methylation patterns, open chromatin features, and many more. This has allowed previously unknown mechanisms of disease and disorder development to be increasingly understood. 

You will choose a disorder, disease or condition and present a literature review on one of the following topics:

- The role of epigenetic modification of the genome in your chosen disorder/disease.

- The role of transposable elements in the development of your chosen disorder/disease.

In this assessment, you will review the current status of the literature on your topic, making use of scientific journal articles and case reports. References should be mostly primary and current (from the past 7 years), to make your work as up-to-date as possible. A tutorial on the assessment item will be provided to guide you through the assessment task. 

Please note the following details:

The length of the main body of your essay is 2500 words, excluding references - making the best use of the word allocation is always better than being off-message.
Text should be word-processed, with appropriate layout and use of headings/sub-headings. Please use 1.5pt line spacing and easy to read text no smaller than 12pt. 
Diagrams can be used to illustrate specific aspects - (please ensure that you correctly cite/reference all sources of diagrams used, unless they are original and composed by you, since this is an important aspect of academic integrity).
Please avoid images with very large file sizes, as this will make your essay too large to upload/download (save any images as lower resolution, to decrease the file size).
Referencing should be in a consistent style - Harvard or APA format is required.
Please save/upload your file in either a Word or PDF format. 

Student are permitted to use Generative AI for this assessment in the following ways: 

   - developing literature search strategies
   - compiling suitable literature sources and locating data
   - guidance for structuring the assignment

If Generative AI is used in any way, it must be cited as per the CQU Guidelines (Academic Learning Centre).

If students choose to use generative AI, the following statement must be completed and included on the front page of the uploaded assessment: "I have used (insert technology) to (insert how you used this) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this was to (explain why you used it). The details of how I used it as (insert how). I hereby declare that the submission is an appropriate representation of my individual skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the task/s."

As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria; citations of information should be of the primary source (i.e statistics returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source). Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered breach of academic integrity.

Your use of Generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix as a separate file which includes the prompt used and Generative AI response (in line with marking rubric). Failure to include an appendix may result in academic integrity investigation. 

You will be marked on the following criteria:

Title: Write a specific, descriptive, and scientific title. 

Introduction: This should include relevant background information, the importance of the review, and any main concepts which will be addressed. A clear molecular and cellular focus is required. 

Review: A thorough review of literature on your chosen topic area written using recent scientific references, mostly primary research articles. The review should be organised around the scientific development in your chosen topic and highlighting 'landmark' discoveries and effectively explaining the current status of knowledge. Provide an up to date review on the status and understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the disease / disorder with respect to the chosen topic. Use of subheading is acceptable. 

Conclusions: In one paragraph summarise the status of the research you have reviewed in this area and any future research directions. Reiterate the key ideas. 

References: Cite (in-text) and list all references in your essay. Marks will be awarded for reference quality, citing within the review and listing references correctly at the end of the report, reference format.  Inclusion and accuracy of AI appendix if utilised. 

Grammar, style, accuracy: Spelling, grammar, style, accuracy, within word count. 

A detailed marking rubric will be available on the Moodle site at the commencement of term. 

Students must attend and pass the residential school to pass the unit. Please see the timetable for dates and times. Register via MyCQU. 

Students will be assessed on safe and competent operation in a molecular laboratory. 

You will be assessed on the following:

• safe operation in a laboratory
• correct use of PPE
• safe handling of biological samples
• correct management of laboratory waste

A full list of competencies will be included in the laboratory manual (available via the Moodle site). 

During the residential school you will be required to perform experimental protocols involving, for example, transformation of bacteria with plasmid DNA, restriction endonuclease digestion of DNA and amplification of DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In your residential school you will be expected to complete a workbook and perform experimental calculations, report experimental results, answer questions about experimental procedures and interpret results. Clearly label the workbook with student name and student number. The laboratory workbook can be scanned, or completed digitally and the workbook can be uploaded onto the Moodle site. The workbook will be available in Moodle as a digital file.  

Student are permitted to use Generative AI for this assessment in the following ways: 

     - Searches and support to increase or verify understanding of concepts.

If Generative AI is used in any way, as with all sources, it must be cited as per the CQU Guidelines (Academic Learning Centre).

If students choose to use generative AI, the following statement must be completed and included on the front page of the uploaded assessment: "I have used (insert technology) to (insert how you used this) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this was to (explain why you used it). The details of how I used it as (insert how). I hereby declare that the submission is an appropriate representation of my individual skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the task/s."

As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria; citations of information should be of the primary source (i.e statistics returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source). Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered breach of academic integrity.

Your use of Generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix as a separate file which includes the prompt used and Generative AI response. Failure to include an appendix may result in academic integrity investigation. 

Marks will be allocated based on the accuracy of calculations and correctness of answers to questions.