NBIK15011U Experimental Molecular Genetics

Volume 2016/2017
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biochemistry

Content

Principles of genetics and genomics at the molecular level will be explored to give students a solid grasp of the genetic approaches used for solving biological and medical problems and the use of genetic model systems to understand basic biological mechanisms. Topics include mechanisms of recombination, gene conversion and repair; gene expression, chromatin and regulation; gene functions and networks, and isolation of specific suppressor mutants which will be identified by whole genome DNA sequencing. These topics will be studied in the laboratory both theoretically and experimentally. The laboratory exercises use Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizzosaccharomyces pombe as a model system for eukaryotic molecular genetics. The participants will also obtain experience in searching and analyzing gene sequences in databases using the internet, and in reading and presenting original articles that illuminate the above subjects.

Learning Outcome

The overall goal of the course is for students to understand the genetics that underlie modern biology and medicine including the genetics of human diseases, genetic screens and diagnostics. The participants in the course will acquire a solid background in the principles of genetics and get an introduction to the latest developments while integrating genetics and molecular biology.
Participants will develop quantitative, analytical skills with which to interpret critically experimental data and solve problems in classical and molecular genetics. The knowledge gained by the experimental work will enable the student to subsequently apply genetic approaches in understanding of almost any biological system. Another goal is to train the students in oral presentation of their own scientific data. This includes practice in (i) how to critically read original literature during group discussions, (ii) preparation and presentation of their own experimental results in poster format and (iii) written evaluation of original articles in the form of a term paper.

Knowledge:

  • The participants in the course will acquire a solid background in the principles of genetics and get an introduction to the latest developments while integrating genetics and molecular biology.
  • The acquired knowledge will enable the student to subsequently apply the genetic approach to gain an understanding of almost any biological system.
  • The laboratory experiments will give the student practical skills and an understanding of the aim, results and perspectives of the laboratory exercises.


Skills:

  • Participants will develop quantitative, analytical skills with which to interpret experimental data and solve problems in classical and molecular genetics.
  • Actively participate in English as a member of the audience in the article training sessions and the poster presentations.
  • Present the results of the laboratory exercises in the form of a poster discussing the results and their perspectives.
  • Participants should demonstrate an understanding of collection and interpretation of original experimental data in the designated research area and to critically evaluate their interpretation as presented in the papers selected.


Competences:

  • The student will be able to integrate material from various scientific topics and suggest mechanistic models.
  • The student will be able to present a scientific article and also act as a questioner/opponent for a scientific article in English.
  • The participant will be able to write a paper in English from an assigned article and to obtain and critically interpret the relevant literature.

See Absalon.

The course is open to students at the Master level as well as students at the Bachelor level and others with a relevant biological background including more than basic knowledge in genetics and molecular biology. Thus, it is highly recommended either to follow the course Theoretical Molecular Genetics (NBIK15017U) in parallel or to have a genetic background corresponding to the content of this course.
Introduction to Laboratory techniques
Laboratory exercises
Summary of experimental results to be presented in poster format at the last session.
Term paper
To obtain a full block understanding modern genetics, this course is fully integrated with the course NBIK15017U - Theoretical Molecular Genetics.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 12
  • Laboratory
  • 68
  • Lectures
  • 6
  • Preparation
  • 44
  • Project work
  • 75
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 45 minutes
Written assignment, Term paper
The term paper and the oral defence must be passed separately and in the same exam period. The term paper and the oral defence will be given equal weight in the final assessment.
Exam registration requirements

Approved poster preparation and presentation.
 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Two internal examiners
Re-exam

If the requirement is not fulfilled, the poster must be approved no later than 2 weeks before the reexamination.

As ordinary.
A passed term paper may be reused in modified form for the reexamination.

Criteria for exam assesment

The grade 12 is given for an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material, cf. the Learning Outcome of the course, with no or only a few minor weaknesses.