Microbial Genetics (Advanced) - MICR3621

Course available to Advanced Science students, or as an advanced option to non-Advanced Science students. This advanced course differs from MICR3021 Microbial Genetics by providing additional laboratory practicals, laboratory tutorials and laboratory assessment, a number of advanced level lectures (presently two), and different questions (both in content and number) in lecture based assessment. The course aims to extend fundamental concepts and principles of microbial genetics to an advanced level. The course is intended to be particularly useful for students interested in molecular biology/ genetics and those considering Molecular Biology and Microbiology majors. Main topics include genetics of bacteriophage, bacteria, archaea and yeasts, mutation and repair, plasmids, gene transfer, transposable genetic elements, gene cloning (genetic engineering) and two component regulatory systems. The practical component includes a range of contemporary microbial genetics experiments that complement lecture material. They may include experiments involving bacteria, archaea or yeast, involving transpon mutagenesis, gene library construction, gene complementation using recombinant plasmids, gene expression and regulation studies, UV mutagenesis and DNA repair, restriction/modification systems, promoter rescue experiments, and a variety of gene exchange techniques. The socioeconomic impact of microbial genetics is also discussed.
Note: Replaces BIOT3031