Module: Comparative Genomics & Developmental Biology

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Comparative Genomics & Developmental Biology
Module Code	BE310
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Denise Harold Semester 2: Denise Harold Autumn: Denise Harold
Module Teachers	Anne Parle-McDermott Denise Harold Linda Holland
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Repeat examination
Array

Description

This module will introduce students to the field of comparative genomics and it's many applications and to the field of developmental biology with a focus on the molecular processes underlying Eukaryotic development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss the basic concepts of comparative genomics and developmental biology from both a computational and cellular perspective
2. Describe the process of analysing biological sequence data from databases to statistical methods for analysing/assessing data signal
3. Discuss concepts in molecular evolution
4. Applications of comparative genomics: across species, within species and within individuals
5. Consideration of the concepts development and the main model organisms used in this field.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of cell differentiation and it's reversibility in different contexts.
7. Knowledge of the physiology of human development and current research to investigate its molecular aspects.
8. An understanding and being able to describe the molecular detail of Drosophila early development.
9. Knowledge of specific laboratory techniques that have relevance of investigation of development processes.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Online activity	30	Asynchronous lectures
Tutorial	10	No Description
Independent Study	85	reading of recommended book chapters and publications recommended to you by your lecturer (these may change year on year)
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Comparative Genomics
Introduction to Comparative Genomics, key concepts including homology, orthology and paralogy. Major comparative genomic methods will be dealt with in detail, including pairwise and multiple alignment methodologies, probability and statistical analysis of sequence alignments, databases and mining, phylogeny reconstruction. Applications of comparative genomics across species, within species and within individuals will be explored.

Developmental Biology
A brief history of developmental biology. Early key experiments and milestones. Introduction of model organisms such as Xenopus, zebrafish, chick,mouse, Drosophila and C. elegans. Basic stages of development:comparison of model organisms. Focus on Drosophila lifecycle and development. Drosophila developmental genetics- establishment of body plan: anterior-posterior axis, dorsal-ventral axis.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Loop assignments	20%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Jonathan Pevsner: 0, Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, 3,
David W Mount: 0, Sequence and Genome Analysis,
Scott F. Gilbert: 0, Developmental biology, 7,
Lewis Wolpert: 0, Principles of Development, 3,
J.M.W. Slack: 0, Essential Delevopmental Biology, 2,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
BSSA	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
BSSAO	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
GCB	BSc in Genetics & Cell Biology
HMSA	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
HMSAO	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
IESA	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
IESAO	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)

Date of Last Revision

21-MAY-08

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