Module Code - Title:
BC4905
-
GENETIC ENGINEERING
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
BC4903
BC4904
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module introduces students to concepts and techniques involved in genetic engineering. The module will demonstrate the diverse applications of the techniques of molecular biology in research and development and quality control in a wide variety of industries. This will impart core laboratory skills relevant to molecular biology and prepare the students for careers in the biotechnological/biopharmaceutical industries.
Syllabus:
• The Central Dogma - DNA structure and replication mechanisms, transcription and translation mechanisms.
• Control of gene expression - Gene structure, function and prokaryote gene regulation.
• Molecular techniques to analyse and manipulate DNA - restriction enzymes and other DNA modifying enzymes; cDNA and genomic cloning; cloning and expression vectors; DNA transfer methods; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); PCR primer design; selection and screening methods; phenotypic Vs genotypic screening; Northern, Southern and Western blotting. Gene therapy and gene silencing.
• Analysing and purifying protein - protein structure and mutations; heterologous protein expression and purification
• Transgenic plants and animals.
• Introduction to bioinformatics - databases and genome analysis
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and techniques underpinning gene identification, isolation, analysis, manipulation and recombinant gene expression.
2. Independently identify and evaluate pertinent information from scientific and additional literature sources.
3. Interpret analytical results and summarize conclusions in written scientific reports.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to identify issues relevant to the public perception and acceptance or otherwise of products produced via genetic engineering.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will safely perform a range of analytical techniques/methodologies relevant to molecular biology.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Module will be taught primarily through a formal interactive lecturing mode (2 lectures and 1 tutorial per week). The students will also undertake a series of laboratory practical's.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Brown, T.A. (2010)
Gene cloning and DNA analysis, 6th Edition
, John Wiley & Sons
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Morgan, D., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., and Walter, P. (2014)
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th Edition
, Garland Science
Other Relevant Texts:
Nicholl, DST. (2008)
An introduction to Genetic Engineering, 3rd Edition
, Cambridge University Press
Wolfe, S. (1995)
Introduction to cellular and molecular biology
, Wadsworth Publishing Company
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSINBIUFA - INDUSTRIAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
tewfik.soulimane@ul.ie