DrNB Medical Genetics: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fees, Eligibility Criteria Details Here

DrNB Medical Genetics or Doctorate of National Board in Medical Genetics also known as DrNB in Medical Genetics is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary disorders.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various accredited institutes/hospitals across the country. Some of the top accredited institutes/hospitals offering this course include Nizam`s Institute of Medical Sciences- Telangana, and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital- Delhi.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DrNB (Medical Genetics) varies from accredited institutes/hospital to hospital and may range from Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 24 Lakh per year.

DNB is equivalent to MD/MS/DM/MCh degrees awarded respectively in medical and surgical super specialties. The list of recognized qualifications awarded by the Board in various broad and super specialties as approved by the Government of India are included in the first schedule of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

The Diplomate of National Board in broad-specialty qualifications and super specialty qualifications when granted in a medical institution with attached hospital or in a hospital with the strength of five hundred or more beds, by the National Board of Examinations, shall be equivalent in all respects to the corresponding postgraduate qualification and the super-speciality qualification granted under the Act, but in all other cases, senior residency in a medical college for an additional period of one year shall be required for such qualification to be equivalent for the purposes of teaching also.

What is DrNB in Medical Genetics?

Doctorate of National Board in Medical Genetics, also known as DrNB (Medical Genetics) or DrNB in (Medical Genetics) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Medical Genetics is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary disorders.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) has released a curriculum for DrNB in Medical Genetics.

The curriculum governs the education and training of DrNB in Medical Genetics.

The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Medical Genetics would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DrNB in Medical Genetics

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DrNB in Medical Genetics are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

Note:

• The prior entry qualifications shall be strictly in accordance with Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 and its amendments notified by the NMC and any clarification issued from NMC in this regard.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• •The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DrNB in Medical Genetics. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DrNB in Medical Genetics mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.
• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.
• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.
• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.
• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those superspecialty subjects covered in said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DrNB in Medical Genetics varies from accredited institute/hospital to hospital. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DrNB in Medical Genetics is around Rs. 1,25,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DrNB in Medical Genetics

There are various accredited institutes/hospitals across India that offer courses for pursuing DrNB in Medical Genetics.

As per National Board of Examinations website, the following accredited institutes/hospitals are offering DrNB (Medical Genetics) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

A DrNB in Medical Genetics is a three years specialization course which provides training in the stream of Medical Genetics.

The course content for DrNB in Medical Genetics is given in the NBE Curriculum released by National Board of Examinations, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

A. Principles of Human Genetics

1. The History and Impact of Genetics in Medicine

• Gregor Mendel and the Laws of Inheritance

• DNA as the Basis of Inheritance

• The Origins of Medical Genetics

• Types of Genetic Disorders (single gene disorders, Chromosomal disorders, Polygenic disorders, Somatic cell genetics, mitochondrial disorders)

• Major New Developments- The Human Genome Project,

• Internet resources for medical genetics

2. Basic Cell Biology: Structure and Function of genes

• DNA, RNA and Protein:

• DNA replication, Transcription, Translation,

• Regulation of gene expression

• Mutations and Mutagenesis- Types of mutations, Structural and Functional effects of mutation on the protein, Different mutagens

3. Chromosomes and Cell Division

• Human Chromosomes

• Cell Division- Mitosis, Meiosis, Gametogenesis

• Chromosome Abnormalities- Numerical, Structural and Mosaicism

4. Patterns of Inheritance

• Family Studies

• Mendelian Inheritance- Autosomal dominant, Autosomal recessive, Sexlinked recessive and dominant inheritance

• Multiple Alleles and Complex Traits

• Genetic heterogeneity

• Variable expressivity

• Genetic instability and Anticipation

• Mosaicism

• Uniparental Disomy

• Genomic Imprinting

• Mitochondrial Inheritance

5. Polygenic and Multifactorial Inheritance

• Polygenic Inheritance and the Normal Distribution

• Multifactorial Inheritance-The Liability/Threshold Model, Continuous and discontinuous traits

• Rules of polygenic inheritance

• Heritability

• • Identifying Genes that Cause Multifactorial Disorders- Linkage analysis,Association studies, GWAS studies

B. Molecular Genetics

1. DNA Technology and Applications

• Structure of a gene

• DNA Cloning and The PCR

• Techniques of DNA Analysis- Nucleic acid probes, Nucleic acid hybridization assays

• DNA Sequencing – Sanger, and massively parallel

• Application of DNA sequence polymorphisms- SNPs, VNTRs, Mini satellites, Microsatellites

2. Mapping and Identifying Genes for Monogenic Disorders

• Position-Independent Identification of Human Disease Genes

• Positional Cloning

• The Human Genome Project and its Applications

• Epigenetics

• Microarray in research and clinical practice

C. Cytogenetics

• Methods of chromosome analysis- Karyotyping and chromosomal banding

• Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization

• Comparative Genomic Hybridization

• Chromosome Nomenclature

• Prenatal cytogenetics

• Cancer cytogenetics

D. Immunogenetics

• Immunity

• Innate Immunity

• Specific Acquired Immunity

• Inherited Immunodeficiency Disorders

• Blood Groups

• HLA and Immunology of transplantation

E. Population and Mathematical Genetics

• Hardy-Weinberg Principle and its Applications

• Factors that alter gene frequency- non-random mating, small populations, selection, Mutations, Migration and gene flow.

• Consanguinity and its consequences

• Genetic Polymorphism

• Segregation Analysis

• Genetic Linkage

• Risk Calculation

• Probability Theory

• The Use of Linked Markers

• Bayesâ Theorem and Prenatal Screening

• Empiric Risks

F. Genetics in Medicine

1. Hemoglobin and the Hemoglobinopathies

• Structure and Developmental Expression of Hemoglobin

• Synthesis and Control of Hemoglobin Expression

• Disorders of Hemoglobin – alpha, beta and gamma

• Clinical Variation of the Hemoglobinopathies

• Antenatal and Newborn Hemoglobinopathy Screening

2. Disorders of coagulation and bleeding

• Factor VIII

• Factor IX

• Afibrinogenemia

• Other disorders of coagulation

• Wiskott Aldrich syndrome

3. Biochemical Genetics

• Introduction of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

• Disorders of Amino Acid and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism

• Urea Cycle Disorders

• Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism

• Disorders of Steroid Metabolism

• Disorders of Lipid Metabolism,

• LDL receptor defects

• Lysosomal Storage Disorders

• Disorders of Purine/Pyrimidine Metabolism

• Disorders of Porphyrin Metabolism

• Organic-Acid Disorders

• Disorders of Copper Metabolism

• Peroxisomal Disorders

• Disorders Affecting Mitochondrial Function

• Prenatal Diagnosis of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

4. Pharmacogenetics

• Definition

• Drug Metabolism

• Genetic Variations Revealed by the Effects of Drugs

• Pharmacogenetics

5. Cancer Genetics

• Differentiation between Genetic and Environmental

• Factors in Cancer

• Oncogenes

• Tumor Suppressor Genes

• Epigenetics and Cancer

• Genetics of Common Cancers

• Genetic Counseling in Familial Cancer

• Tumor profiling in cancer and identifying targets for drug therapy

6. Genetic Factors in Common Diseases

• Genetic Susceptibility to Common Disease

• Approaches to Demonstrating Genetic Susceptibility to Common Diseases

• Disease Models for Multifactorial Inheritance

• Diabetes

• Crohn Disease

• Hypertension

• Coronary Artery Disease

• Schizophrenia

• Alzheimer Disease

• Hemochromatosis

• Venous Thrombosis

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration

G. Clinical Genetics

1. Congenital Abnormalities and Dysmorphic Syndromes

• Incidence

• Definition and Classification of Birth Defects

• Genetic Causes of Malformations

• Environmental Agents (Teratogens)

• Malformations of Unknown Cause

2. Chromosome Disorders

• Incidence of Chromosome Abnormalities

• Disorders of the Sex Chromosomes

• Chromosome Deletion and Microdeletion Syndromes

• Disorders of Sexual Differentiation

• Chromosomal Breakage Syndromes

• Recurrent miscarriage

• XerodermaPigmentosa

• Chromosomal, FISH studies, Microarray-CGH Analysis

• X chromosome inactivation

• X-linked mental retardation and Fragile X

3. Single-Gene Disorders

• Huntington Disease

• Myotonic Dystrophy

• Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy

• Neurofibromatosis

• Marfan Syndrome

• Cystic Fibrosis

• Inherited Cardiac Arrhythmias and Cardiomyopathies

• Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• Hemophilia

• Collagen disorders – Osteogenesis imperfects and Ehlers Danlossyndrome

4. Screening for Genetic Disease

• Screening Those at High Risk

• Carrier Testing for Autosomal Recessive and X-Linked Disorders

• Presymptomatic Diagnosis of Autosomal Dominant Disorders

• Ethical Considerations in Carrier Detection and Predictive Testing

• Population Screening

• Neonatal Screening

• Population Carrier Screening

• Genetic Registers

5. Genetic Counseling

• Establishing the Diagnosis

• Calculating and Presenting the Risk

• Discussing the Options

• Communication and Support

• Outcomes in Genetic Counseling

• Ethical issues

6. Prenatal Testing and Reproductive Genetics

• Techniques Used in Prenatal Diagnosis

• Prenatal Screening

• Indications for Prenatal Diagnosis

• Special Problems in Prenatal Diagnosis

• Termination of Pregnancy

• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

• Assisted Conception and Implications for Genetic Disease

• Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis

• Prenatal Treatment

7. Treatment of Genetic Disease

• Conventional Approaches to Treatment of Genetic Disease

• Therapeutic Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology

• Gene transfer and Therapy

• RNA Modification

• Targeted Gene Correction

• Stem Cell Therapy

8. Ethical and Legal Issues in Medical Genetics

• General Principles

• Ethical Dilemmas in the Genetic Clinic

• Ethical Dilemmas and the Public Interest

9. Developmental Genetics

• Fertilization and Gastrulation

• Developmental Gene Families

• Role of Cilia in Developmental Abnormalities

• The Limb as a Developmental Model

• Developmental Genes and Cancer

• Positional Effects and Developmental Genes

• Hydatidiform Moles

• Sexual Differentiation and Determination

• Epigenetics and Development

• Twinning

Semester Based Teaching

The 3 year course will be divided into six semesters. Each semester will consist of clinical teaching by practice in a continuous way. The postings for the various topics, including clinical and laboratory, are shown in the program.There will be a joint session once a month, through teleconferencing, where student and faculty from all the three centers will make presentations, one hour will be allotted to each centre.

Once a month all students will participate in the tele conference on medical genetics run from the Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research. In each semester there will be a one week course on different advanced topics in genetics, organized in the three centres or other genetic centres in the country, for the candidates.After each module of posting, the candidates will have to assessment as outlined below. There will be a 2 weeks holiday in each semester. Details of Semester Teaching:

Three years' curriculum

General outline for the 1st Semester

General outline that will be followed by the DNB Medical Genetics students during the first semester- Clinical Genetics (26 weeks) will be as follows:

• Attend Genetic clinic daily

• Two formal case presentations every week

• Faculty lecture once every week

• Student seminar once every week

• Journal club will be presented by both students and faculty once every week

In addition to the above, emphasis will be made on development of specific clinical skills:

• Elicit a comprehensive family medical history, construct an appropriate pedigree and recognize patterns of inheritance

• Evaluate cases of mental retardation, dysmorphology, disorders of sexual development, short stature and other common genetic problems

• Learn to record anthropometric measurements used in clinical genetics

• Conduct a general and systemic physical examination for proper evaluation of patients with genetic disorders. Ex: Hearing evaluation

• Interview pregnant women to identify those at risk for abnormalities in the fetus and learn their management

• Conduct genetic counseling sessions

• Carry out: Sweat chloride test, Muscle biopsy, Nerve biopsy, and Skin biopsy.

• Carry out: Fetal autopsies.

• Infer from Dysmorphology databases

• Attend postings for 1-2 weeks in the Neurology department, Development clinic.

Details of lectures by faculty and seminars by students List of Faculty Lectures

• The role of Genetics in Medicine

• Approach to history taking and examination in a patient with a geneticdisorder

• Interpreting Family history and Mendelian Inheritance patterns

• Non- Mendelian patterns of inheritance

• Multifactorial inheritance and common diseases

• Genetic Counselling

• Chromosomes- Structure, Classification and Identification

• Structure of Genes, Types of mutation with examples

• Approach to a child with dysmorphism

• Common Microdeletion syndromes

• Prenatal screening for genetic disorders

• Microarray analysis- Basics and indications in clinical practice

• Approach to diagnosis of IEM's

• Genetic causes of short stature

• Recurrent pregnancy loss

• Genetic causes of Autism

• Opthalmological clues to genetic disorders

• Approach to a child with macrosomia

• Intoduction to Hemoglobinopathy

• Approach to diagnosis of Skeletal dysplasia

• Principles of USG and evaluation of fetal growth

• Duchene muscular dystrophy

List of Student Seminars

1. Common Chromosomal disorders

2. Basic DNA techniques

3. Approach to hepatosplenomegaly

4. Approach to patients with intellectual disability

5. Neuromuscular disorders

6. Approach to a child with Neuroregression

7. Acute encephalopathy – genetic causes and approach to diagnosis and management

8. Inherited Cardiomyopathies

9. Disorders with deafness

10. Thalassemia

11. Coagulation disorders

12. Mitochondrial disorders

13. Intrauterine infections

14. Fragile X- syndrome

15. Child with hypotonia

Biostatistics, Research Methodology and Clinical Epidemiology Ethics

Medico legal aspects relevant to the discipline

Health Policy issues as may be applicable to the discipline

Career Options

After completing a DrNB in Medical Genetics, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Medical Genetics), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Medical Genetics), etc.

Courses After DrNB in Medical Genetics Course

DrNB in Medical Genetics is a specialisation course which can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DrNB in Medical Genetics, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DrNB in Medical Genetics is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – DrNB in Medical Genetics Course

Question: What is the full form of DrNB?

Answer: The full form of DrNB is a Doctorate of National Board.

Question: What is a DrNB in Medical Genetics?

Answer: DrNB Medical Genetics or Doctorate of National Board in Medical Genetics also known as DrNB in Medical Genetics is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Question: What is the duration of a DrNB in Medical Genetics?

Answer: DrNB in Medical Genetics is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DrNB in Medical Genetics?

Answer: Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in Any MD/MS/DNB Broad Specialty obtained from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE, this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the NBE website.

Question: What is the scope of a DrNB in Medical Genetics?

Answer: DrNB in Medical Genetics offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DrNB in Medical Genetics candidate?

Answer: DrNB candidate's average salary is between Rs. 5 Lakh to Rs. 24 Lakh per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DrNB Course?

Answer: Yes, the candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing DrNB course.

Question: What is the difference between DrNB and DNB?

Answer: As of today, DrNB is a super-specialist qualification imparted by the NBE (SS level). Whereas DNB is a specialist qualification. Earlier DrNB used to be called DNB SS but now it is called DrNB.