BS934-7-AP-CO:
Gene Technology and Synthetic Biology
2020/21
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn & Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 26 March 2021
30
19 April 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C56012 Biotechnology,
MSC C74112 Molecular Medicine,
MSC C13312 Cancer Biology
The development of techniques to analyse and manipulate nucleic acids has revolutionised the study of biology and provided the key driver for the massive expansion in biotechnology. Subsequent to this has been the emergence of the fields of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics that are now the focus of the most exciting new advances in biotechnology and have led to the emerging discipline of synthetic biology. Synthetic biology is an area of biotechnology research that can be broadly described as the design and construction of novel artificial biological systems, pathways, organisms or devices, or the re-design of existing natural biological systems (Royal Society, UK).
The Basic Gene Technology part of the module consists of a series of 7 lectures and 4 linked practicals examining the isolation of DNA and RNA, gene cloning, the many applications of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the construction and screening of gene and cDNA libraries, directed mutagenesis techniques, transformation of key organisms and basic lab-based sequencing. DNA fingerprinting methodologies, selection and hybridisation methods will also be discussed. Finally, the use of reporter genes to measure non-invasively the expression of genes, to set up novel mutant screens and to determine the levels of small molecules in the living cell will be discussed.
3 lectures will be concerned with some of the underpinning technologies in genomics with special emphasis on next generation sequencing as applied to transcriptomics and chromatin immune precipitation techniques.
The Synthetic Biology part of the module (3 lectures) will provide an introduction to key design concepts in Synthetic Biology which underpin the methods used for rapidly building new biosynthetic pathways using advanced recombinant DNA technology, the construction of novel coding sequences and the synthesis of novel genes and the first synthetic organism.
All of this is underpinned by a series of practical classes which jointly show how CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, an exciting new method, can be used to edit a gene in human cell genomes which is associated with cancer development. The practicals are designed to provide first-hand experience of key procedures and are linked to the first 9 lectures of the course to reinforce theory.
Many of the core lectures will be pre-recorded (available on MOODLE and YOUTUBE) and you need to listen to these lectures ahead of meeting (either in person or, most likely, online via ZOOM, one lecture ahead of each meeting). These meetings will be essential to discuss the material of the lectures further, for practical training to prepare you for the assignments and also to listen to student presentations.
The aim of this course is to provide a solid introduction into core techniques of molecular biology and how these are being expanded in synthetic biology approaches.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. To have an understanding of how manipulation of nucleic acids has been central to developments in biotechnology and biology as a whole.
2. Be able to describe the major tools used in gene technology and understand how such tools are used.
3. Be able to explain how molecular techniques can be used in combination to explore biological questions.
4. To have an understanding of the importance of gene technology and of the rapidly developing field of synthetic biology.
5. To have an understanding of the applications of genome scale methods in biotechnology and molecular medicine.
6. Be able to demonstrate practical competence in key gene manipulation techniques.
7. To have developed a range of key skills including information acquisition from web-based and library sources, self-directed learning, critical analysis of data, numeracy, writing and presentation of scientific reports.
Employability and Transferable Skills:
• Understanding of classic and contemporary methods in molecular biology
• Hands on experience in preparing, manipulating and analysing plasmid DNA
• Principles and uses of synthetic biology
• Principles of biosensor design and reporter gene construction
• Setting up molecular biology reactions
• Construction of a plasmid for CRISPR based chromosomal DNA modification
• Theory and practical use of PCR and restriction mapping
• Effective note taking and attention to detail
• Troubleshooting and improvement of experimental design
• Improved data analysis and interpretation skills
• Presentation skills, scientific discussion
• Use of online tools for bioinformatic analysis
Coursework deadlines advised in module handbooks.
There will be pre-recorded online lectures that will form the basis of group discussions, tutorials and practicals. There will also be student presentations for flipped learning. There will also be computer based and wet lab based practicals.
This module does not appear to have any essential texts. To see non-essential items, please refer to the module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Pre-Practical Tests |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 1 |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
|
40% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 180 minutes during January
|
Additional coursework information
One exam consisting of a DAI and a choice of one out of 3 structured essays (40%).
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Patrick Varga Weisz, email: patrick.varga-weisz@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Patrick Varga Weisz, Dr Metodi Metodiev
School Graduate Office, email: bsgradtaught (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)
No
No
No
Dr Lakjaya Buluwela
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
Reader in Cancer Medicine
Prof Mark Wheatley
University of Birmingham
Chair of Biochemical Pharmacology
Dr Emma Denham
University of Bath
Senior Lecturer in Microbiology
Available via Moodle
Of 734 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
734 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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