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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2010 - 2011

Module Title Human Molecular Genetics & Plant Biotechnolog
Module Code BE434
School School of Biotechnology

Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorDr Anne Parle-McDermottOffice NumberX227
Level 4 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Module Aims
  • 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'.


Learning Outcomes

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.


Indicative Time Allowances
Hours
Lectures 24
Tutorials 0
Laboratories 0
Seminars 0
Independent Learning Time 51

Total 75
Placements
Assignments
NOTE
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.

Indicative Syllabus
  • 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.
Assessment
Continuous Assessment0% Examination Weight100%
Indicative Reading List

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)
Programme or List of Programmes
BSSAStudy Abroad (DCU Business School)
BSSAOStudy Abroad (DCU Business School)
BTBSc in Biotechnology
ECSAStudy Abroad (Engineering & Computing)
ECSAOStudy Abroad (Engineering & Computing)
GCBBSc in Genetics & Cell Biology
HMSAStudy Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
HMSAOStudy Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
SHSAStudy Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAOStudy Abroad (Science & Health)
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