Module Title |
Human Molecular Genetics & Plant Biotechnolog
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Module Code |
BE434
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School |
School of Biotechnology
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Online Module Resources
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Module Co-ordinator | Dr Anne Parle-McDermott | Office Number | X227 |
Level |
4
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Credit Rating |
5
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None
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Module Aims
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- Building on the principles of recombinant DNA technology and gene expression introduced in Module BE301, to develop a good understanding of how this knowledge has been extended and developed to analyse and manipulate the genomes of plants and animals, in particular, man.
- This module aims to provide an understanding of the molecular basis of human 'genetic diseases'.
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Learning Outcomes
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The student should have a clear understanding of:
- The biology of bacterial-plant interactions and how such interactions can be manipulated to produce genetically altered plants
- Plant and animal transformation systems.
- Development and release of GMO's.
- The human genome project and its relationship with molecular medicine.
- The molecular approaches used to map and clone the genes responsible for genetic diseases. The approaches used to test and scan for genetic mutations.
- The social and ethical issues related to the study and diagnosis of human genetic disorders.
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
51
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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- Genetic Analysis and Manipulation of Plants
- Agrobacterium and its interaction with plants.
- Ti plasmid-based vectors and plant transformation.
- Plant transformation with microprojectiles.
- Inheritance and expression of chimeric genes in plants.¿ Insect/viral/herbicide resistant plants.
- Transgenic plants for the production of recombinant products.
- GM plants for fuel and food production
- GMO release into the environmentHuman Genetics
- Introduction to genetic diseases: modes of inheritance, allele/disease frequencies, etc
- Human Genome Project, current programme, historical perspective.
- Concept of reverse genetics, genetic and physical markers (eg, RFLPs, STS, ESTs, SNPs), mapping of genetic disorders, radiation hybrids, in situ hybridisation, co-inheritance studies/linkage analysis.
- Positional cloning, YACs, linking and jumping libraries, contigs, PFGE
- Some case studies detailing the molecular pathology of some common human genetic diseases
- Methodology used to test for known mutations and to scan for unknown mutations.
- Social and ethical issues raised in the above studies.
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Assessment | Continuous Assessment | 0% | Examination Weight | 100% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Essential:
- Human Molecular Genetics, Strachan and Read (BIOS Scientific, 2000)
- Human Molecular Genetics, Sudbery (Longman, 1998)Supplementary:
- Selection of journal articles.
- Molecular Basis of Inherited Disease, Davies and Read (In Focus, IRL Press, 1992)
- Recombinant DNA, Watson, Gilman, Witkowski and Zoller (Scientific American Books, 1992)
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Programme or List of Programmes
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BSSA | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
BSSAO | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
BT | BSc in Biotechnology |
ECSA | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
ECSAO | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
GCB | BSc in Genetics & Cell Biology |
HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
HMSAO | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
SHSA | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
SHSAO | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
Archives: | |