MIC3011 - Molecular microbiology

Overview

This unit concentrates on specific aspects of bacterial molecular biology. Areas examined include the molecular biology of plasmids and genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons, integrons and pathogenicity islands, recombination and DNA repair mechanisms. The ability of bacteria to control gene expression in response to extracellular signals will also be … For more content click the Read More button below.

This unit concentrates on specific aspects of bacterial molecular biology. Areas examined include the molecular biology of plasmids and genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons, integrons and pathogenicity islands, recombination and DNA repair mechanisms. The ability of bacteria to control gene expression in response to extracellular signals will also be examined, as well as the intracellular transport and secretion of macromolecules, and some aspects of bacterial genomics.

Offerings

S1-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Professor Hayley Newton

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Ryan

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:

Compare and contrast different sequencing strategies and analyse bacterial genomic data using bioinformatics;

Explain the processes of homologous recombination and site-specific recombination and how bacteria repair damaged DNA;

Compare and contrast the different types of mobile genetic elements;

Articulate how bacteria respond to changes in their environment by regulating gene expression;

Assess and interpret the mechanisms of replication, maintenance and transfer of bacterial plasmids;

Explain the molecular mechanisms of transport, assembly and secretion in the bacterial cell;

Demonstrate the ability to execute laboratory experiments relevant to advanced molecular microbiology, as well as analyse and report experimental results by formulating a scientific laboratory report and poster presentation.

Teaching approach

Active learning

Molecular microbiology utilises a range of learning activities including lectures, interactive workshops, online learning and research-based laboratory projects. This unit is a final year capstone unit that teaches molecular microbiology theory and molecular biology techniques. Research projects that are performed by students throughout the semester are authentic and designed from real-life research undertaken in the research laboratories of the Department of Microbiology. Projects are designed to teach both the scientific process of how a research project is performed and techniques that are currently used in research laboratories. The lecture and workshop components of the course complements the practical component by giving the underlying theoretical knowledge that is required of a molecular microbiologist and forms the basis of knowledge for the projects that are being undertaken in the PC2 laboratory component of the course.

Assessment

1 - In semester assessment

2 - Mid-semester test

3 - Examination (2 hours and 30minutes)

This will be an on-campus invigilated exam. Access to one A4 sheet of notes will be allowed.

Value %:30

Hurdle type:Threshold

Hurdle description:

Where you fail the hurdle but would have otherwise achieved a mark of 45 or above you will be awarded a mark of 45 and an NH (hurdle fail) for the unit.

Where you fail the hurdle and would also have failed the unit with a mark of 44 or below, you will be awarded your mark and an N grade for the unit.

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Laboratories

Lectures

Workshops

Workload requirements

Workload

Learning resources

Technology resources

Availability in areas of study

Biochemistry
Microbiology