BSc Biochemistry

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
`Omic Technologies & Resources

Course unit fact file
Unit code BIOL21152
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

'Omic Technologies and Resources will introduce a range of molecular biology, genetic engineering and bioinformatic techniques (e.g., gene cloning, engineering alterations in a gene, screening for genes, genome mapping, sequencing and editing projects), and illustrate how these can be, and have been, applied and adapted to answer major questions in the biological sciences and medical genetics.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Molecular Biology BIOL10221 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Genome Maintenance & Regulation BIOL21101 Co-Requisite Recommended
BIOL21152 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

BIOL21152 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

Aims

This unit will introduce a range of molecular biology, genetic engineering and bioinformatic techniques and illustrate how these can be, and have been, applied and adapted to answer major questions in the biological sciences and medical genetics. Using a topical example-driven approach - including human, animal, plant and micro-organismal - students will be exposed to a number of the important techniques that underpin many of the recent advances in understanding biological systems at the molecular level. Examples will be used to explain the step change that occurs between the analysis of single genes, proteins etc. and the analysis of most, or all, of the genes, proteins and metabolites within an organism. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the cross-talk and interactions that occur between different genes and gene products.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will gain an understanding of:

  • Gene cloning, engineering alterations in a gene, screening for genes.
  • Genome mapping and sequencing projects.
  • Manipulating DNA in vitro and genomes in vivo.
  • Transcriptomics approaches.
  • How proteins can be made and manipulated.
  • Using single-celled organisms, plants and animals as experimental models.
  • Dealing with large-scale datasets generated from ’omic scale experiments.

 

Syllabus

  • Analysis of individual genes
  • Analysis of genomes (transcriptomics)
  • Understanding gene function (proteomics)
  • Analysis of small molecules (metabolomics)
  • Understanding the integration of the above (systems biology)

 

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Online exercises require students to analyse data and experimental results.
Oral communication
Students encouraged to answer questions during lectures.
Problem solving
Online exercises require students to read and research around the lecture material.
Research
Online exercises require background reading and the understanding of some primary literature.
Written communication
Students participate in a practice examination-style essay which is marked by staff and detailed comments are returned.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

The written exam is one problem-based question (50% of exam) and one essay from a choice (50% of exam). Weekly online multiple choice exercises make up 20% of the overall mark.

Feedback methods

Students will receive feedback via the Blackboard module for this unit, which forms part of the continuous assessment of the unit. Students will also be afforded the opportunity to receive written feedback on an examination-style essay and a series of examination-style short-answer questions.

Recommended reading

  • Brown, TA (2017) Genomes (4th edition). Garland Science - recommended

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 76

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Sam Griffiths-Jones Unit coordinator

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