A novel online genomic counseling and variant interpretation certificate: Learning design, learning analytics, and evaluation.

In this paper we describe the analysis, planning, design, development, implementation and evaluation of a new online Graduate Certificate in Genomic Counselling and Variant Interpretation (GCGCVI) at The University of British Columbia (UBC). Genetic counselling is now a prerequisite for diagnostic genomic testing in many countries, demanding that genetic counselling practitioners have up-to-the-moment genomic counselling skills and knowledge. Current practitioners reported a desire for more training in this rapidly developing field: our international survey revealed substantial interest in online continuing education addressing themes such as testing and clinical bioinformatics, applied variant interpretation, evidence-based genomic counselling, and other emerging genomic topics.

Polyploid cells in the mouse ovary.

Cell ploidy in the ovarian follicle and corpus luteum was investigated by DNA in situ hybridization to a reiterated, chromosome 3 transgene in mice that were hemizygous for the transgene. This approach was first validated by analysis of mouse kidney, pancreas and liver control tissues, which contain different frequencies of polyploid nuclei. Polyploid nuclei (with multiple hybridization signals) were seen in histological sections of both ovarian follicles and corpora lutea.