| Module Identifier |
BS13010 |
| Module Title |
INTRODUCTORY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS |
| Academic Year |
2004/2005 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Michael K Winson |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
Professor John Draper |
| Pre-Requisite |
Normally A or AS level biology or its equivalent |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 20 Hours |
| |
Practical | 9 Hours 3 x 3 hour Workshops |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours 2 hour theory examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Continuous Assessment: Continuous assessment of computer workshop work | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours one 2 hour written exam | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | resubmission of failed coursework | |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Provide an account of the properties of DNA, RNA and proteins.
Describe the essentials of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Demonstrate an understanding of restriction digestion and DNA cloning.
Explain the principles of DNA- and RNA-gel blot analysis.
Provide a description of western blot analysis.
Describe DNA and Protein databases and their uses.
Demonstrate the ability to manipulate DNA and protein sequences using bioinformatic tools.
Aims
Molecular Biology is concerned with understanding biological processes at the molecular level. Bioinformatics is concerned with the storage and analysis of biological information using computers. The course is designed to introduce students to the molecular biology of cells, the techniques that are used to investigate how cells work and to the modern bioinformatics methods being used for investigating the information generated in this way. The module introduces these two disciplines and describes how they are being used in combination to investigate, for example, the human genome. It will focus on the key concepts in DNA replication, describe the methods used for sequencing and provide a basic understanding of DNA cloning. The conversion of genetic information encoded in DNA into proteins via messenger RNA will be outlined. Practical experience of how to access the worldwide protein and DNA databases will be taught. An overview of the types of information that is stored in the DNA and protein databases worldwide will also be provided.
Brief description
Content
The modules will focus on the following key topics.
1) Basic Understanding of:
i) what DNA is, its properties and how it replicates
ii) what mRNA is and how it is made
iii) what protiens are and how DNA encodes for proteins.
2) Provide an account of the following key molecular biology techniques:
i) polymerase chain reaction PCR
ii) restriction enzyme digestion of DNA
iii) DNA cloning
iv) DNA gell blot analysis
v) RNA gell blot analysis
vi) Western blot analysis
3) Basic understanding of bioinformatics associated with DNA and protein sequences
i) database structures
ii) tools for searching databases
iii) manipulating sequences.
Three computer workshop practical classes will introduce bioinformations methods for information retrieval and investigating the properties of genes and proteins.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Reece, R.J. (2004) Analysis of Genes and Genomes
Wiley
Attwood, T.K. & Parry Smith, D.J. (1999) Introduction to Bioinformatics
Prentice Hall
Turner, P.C., McLennon, A.G., Bates, A.D. & White, M.R.H. (2000) Molecular Biology (Instant Notes)
BIOS
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4