BIOL06017 2019 Molecular Biology

Compare and contrast nucleic acid structures and describe some techniques used in their analysis.

Describe the mechanism of DNA replication.

Elucidate the processes involved in gene expression and regulation.

Summarise the main steps in the Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Appreciate the complexity of gene cloning and depict the key steps in the process.

Interpret and analyse bioinformatic data.

Perform key molecular biology techniques in a laboratory setting.

Analyse, collate and report on experimental data generated in practical sessions.

This module will be delivered full-time. Lecture delivery will be the primary mode of dissemination for module theory while practical applications will be explored during laboratory sessions. A ‘spiral curriculum’ approach will be employed to develop the student’s competencies in molecular biology. This will enable the student to revisit a topic, several times throughout the module. The complexity of the topic will increase with each revisit; and this new learning will be put in context with the old information. Critical and reflective thinking will be developed through the analysis of laboratory work. Active learning will be fostered through inquiry-based learning activities designed to promote the students research and evaluation skills. Visualisation techniques will be used where possible to bring difficult concepts to life and highlight their practical applications e.g. the use of video clips and the building of a 3D model of a plasmid to visualise restriction digestion. Co-operative learning will be encouraged, whereby students will work together to complete revision activates (e.g. crosswords, double puzzles, word searches). These revision activities will be provided at the end of each topic. A learning platform (such as moodle) will be used as a repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment (e.g. quizzes, uploading assignments and journals).

Assessment of the Molecular Biology module will include both continuous assessment (50%) and a terminal exam (50%).   Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of laboratory sessions. The final exam will examine the students knowledge of the module and assess the ability of the student to communicate that knowledge in a suitable manner. Formative assessments will be conducted at the end of each topic to evaluate student comprehension, learning needs and academic progress. These assessments will  identify concepts that students are struggling to understand and skills they are having difficulty in acquiring. Continuous assessment will involve report writing, data analysis and assessment of laboratory skills. A key focus of this module is to develop the students report writing skills. To achieve this, students will be required to submit 3 formal laboratory reports. Prior to submission of the first report, a tutorial on report writing will be delivered. Students will peer assess each others reports using a supplied marking scheme in the form of a rubric. Other resources such as Harvard referencing, details on plagiarism and sample reports will all  be made available. A follow up tutorial on "how to improve your lab report" will be delivered prior to submission of the second report. Two short assessments will also be given on data analysis. The students must reach an assigned gate (mark)  in the final exam and achieve 40% overall to pass the subject.

If a student fails to achieve 40% in the module they will be required to resit the exam, resubmit or submit laboratory reports, write a theory assignment or a combination of these. Repeat assessments will be decided on a case by case basis, and will be informed by the amount and quality of continuous assessment submitted during the semester, and the performance of the student in the final exam.

Compare and contrast nucleic acid structures and describe some techniques used in their analysis.

• Nitrogenous bases, pentose sugar, phosphodiester bond
• Chargaffs rules
• Double helix, hairpin loops
• Chain polarity
• mRNA, tRNA, rRNA, siRNA, snRNA
• Techniques may include: Agarose gel electrophoresis, Purification and quantification, Restriction digestion, Sequencing

Describe the mechanism of DNA replication.

• Semiconservative
• Leading and lagging strands
• Enzymes involved in replication
• Energy for replication

Elucidate the processes involved in gene expression and regulation.

• Transcription
• Posttranscriptional modifications
• Control of transcription (Promoters, Transcription Factors, Operons)
• Genetic code
• Translation
• Protein structure

Summarise the main steps in the Polymerase Chain Reaction.

• Denaturation
• Annealing
• Extension
• Primer design and annealing temperature calculation

Appreciate the complexity of gene cloning and depict the key steps in the process.

• Plasmids
• Ligation
• Transformation
• Selectable markers
• Directional cloning

Interpret and analyse bioinformatic data.

• DNA sequencing
• 6 frame translation
• Restriction digestion analysis
• Mutations in nucleotide sequence
• Plasmid mapping

Perform key molecular biology techniques in a laboratory setting. Some of these may include:

• Agarose gel electrophoresis
• DNA extraction
• Quantification of DNA
• PCR
• Cloning
• Restriction digestion

Analyse, collate and report on experimental data generated in practical sessions, some of which may include:

• Agarose gel electrophoresis
• DNA extraction
• Quantification of DNA
• PCR
• Cloning
• Restriction digestion