BIOL3771 DNA to Genome - Flinders University

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Overview

In this topic students will learn fundamental concepts about genes and genomics that form the core of current molecular approaches that are now used to study biological processes. Students will build on concepts introduced at second year level. The topic will review the central dogma of molecular biology DNA to RNA to protein and then go on to explore in more detail how gene expression is controlled. In addition students will learn more about basic tools of recombinant DNA and how these are applied to solve interesting biological problems in human medicine, forensic science and the biotechnology industry. Finally students will learn the fundamentals of whole genome sequencing, how the human genome was sequenced and will also review bioinformatics and experimental approaches to make use of sequence data.

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Aims

This topic aims to:

Familiarise students with recombinant DNA technology and how it is applied to gene discovery and understanding more about the function of genes and proteins. A particular emphasis will be placed on the Human genome project and how in recent years we have moved to study genes and gene interactions on more global scale and how bioinformatics had aided this
Further develop students' generic skills in creativity and problem-solving, independence, using online resources, communication to scientific and non-scientific audiences and critical thinking

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:

Understand at a deeper level the complex processes involved to synthesise and regulate DNA, RNA and proteins

Understand how DNA and genomics techniques of the past and the present including those used for sequencing are used to diagnose and understand the pathology of human, animal and plant diseases; develop new disease treatments; underpin approaches to personalised medicine and in numerous ways to benefit society

Appreciate the role bioinformatics and information technology have played in genomics research

Use bioinformatic programs to search databases for DNA and protein sequences and to use online and stand-alone software to conduct sequence alignments

Interpret critically genomic and DNA based research in different contexts and present and communicate data and scientific ideas to both scientific and non-scientific audiences

Perform routine numerical calculations required for the preparation of laboratory reagents and interpretation of DNA and RNA experiments

Understand the inherent challenges in working with DNA and RNA in the laboratory and be aware of the importance of using appropriate controls

Assessments

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Requisites information

Pre-requisites:

Anti-requisites:

Handbook

DNA to Genome

BIOL3771