BSc Medical Biochemistry / Course details

Relative stability of the genome is essential if an organism is to function and reproduce. Equally, changes in the genome are important as they allow a species to evolve taking on new characteristics, which may provide a competitive advantage. You will study the molecular processes which cells use to reproduce and to repair their DNA and the molecular mechanisms, such as recombination and mobile gene elements, which bring about changes in the genome. Genome regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels will also be considered.

BIOL21101 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

BIOL21101 Pre- & Co-requisites are BIOL10221

To provide a general overview of how a genome is maintained and regulated in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This will be achieved using an example and paradigm-orientated approach, emphasising common themes related to mechanism.

 

Students will be expected to have basic knowledge and understanding of:

• The mechanisms by which prokaryotes and eukaryotes detect and repair DNA damage
• Genome regulation at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational levels
• Regulation of DNA replication during cell growth and interaction with transcription and DNA repair processes
• Recombination and mobile gene elements, and their roles in genome function and evolution
• Genome structure including nuclear and organelle genomes and implications for regulation

Gene regulation in prokaryotes
•    Promoter architecture, regulatory networks, gene regulation and signalling by nutrients and stress in prokaryotes; roles of RNA in prokaryotic gene regulation
Gene regulation in eukaryotes
•    Sequence-specific transcription factors families; mechanisms of transcriptional stimulation - coactivators, repressors and chromatin remodelling; signalling to the nucleus; tissue-specific and developmental gene regulation
•    The co-transcriptional regulation of mRNA processing; generating the transcriptome - alternative splicing, mRNA turnover, RNA interference; RNA nucleocytoplasmic export and the control of mRNA localization
•    The mechanism and control of eukaryotic protein synthesis
DNA replication - basic models of regulation during cell growth in yeast and higher eukaryotes, bacterial and viral DNA replication
Mechanisms of DNA repair- error-prone, recombination, transcription-coupled excision repair; detection of DNA damage in eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Horizontal gene transfer - transduction, transformation, conjugation; DNA segregation.
Transposons and retroviruses; their effect on genome evolution, organisation and function
Organelle genomes, evolution, composition, regulation and maintenance

eLearning modules with both formative and summative online assessment; group based ePoster activities
 

Examination (80%), problem-based eLearning exercises (5%), and a group-based ePoster presentation (15%).

Online MCQs based on lectures will allow students to practice MCQs and obtain continuous formative feedback on their own progress and understanding. Electronically marked components of the unit assessment allow students to monitor their own progress. An online discussion forum is available for communication between students and staff. Feedback on examination performance will be delivered online once results have been published.