Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate (FHEQ level 5) |
| Period: |
Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| OR 20%, PR 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide practical experience of some commonly used molecular biology techniques and to evaluate these in comparison with other available methods so that the students are aware of a range of techniques used for the characterisation of gene structure and gene expression. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * explain how and why these techniques have been applied when they encounter them in journal articles; * select appropriate methods of this type when they design their own experiments; * planning and organise carrying out a scientific project; * handle and interpret data of this type generated by these techniques. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Oral communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F, Career preparation T/F. Content: The course involves a series of linked experiments that form a mini-project. This begins with the preparation of cellular RNA, its conversion to cDNA and the amplification of gene fragments using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Specific fragments are cloned in a bacterial plasmid, these screened by restriction enzyme digestion and one or two are subject to DNA sequencing. Data interpretation involves DNA sequence analysis and the interrogation of remote nucleic acid databases, chromosome physical maps and mutational databases. A demonstration of various methods for analysing gene expression is included. |
| Programme availability: |
BB20025 is Compulsory on the following programmes:Department of Biology & Biochemistry
BB20025 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Biology & Biochemistry
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