BIOS 428: Liquid Biopsy: Cell-Free Nucleic Acids and the Future of Precision Oncology

Course Description

This two-week mini-course introduces liquid biopsy technologies, with a focus on cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA, cfRNA) and their role in cancer detection and monitoring. Students will learn biological foundations, analytical methods, and translational applications of liquid biopsies. Lectures will cover fragmentomics, methylation, telomere biology, and emerging cfRNA approaches. Case studies and discussions will emphasize computational methods and clinical impact. Students will gain skills in reading and critiquing current literature and will explore future opportunities and challenges for precision oncology.