NBIK13005U Experimental Higher Model Organisms

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc programme in Biology
Content

Theoretical exercises, colloquia and lectures will give a critical review of the use of genetic model systems and strategies used in basic and applied research. Laboratory exercises will include a range of techniques such as 1) genomic manipulations via homologous recombination, RNA interference and random insertional mutagenesis, 2) stable transformation and transient transfection, 3) transgenic analyses with marker enzymes and/or tagged proteins. The techniques will be applied to cells and organisms such as animal cell lines, the worm C. elegans, the fruit fly D. melanogaster, the moss P. patens and/or the flowering plant A. thaliana.

Learning Outcome
By the end of the course, students are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and competencies
KNOWLEDGE of the research fields with model organisms included in the curriculum covered by assigned reading, lectures, seminar presentations and writte reports.
SKILLS TO
-Explain developments in the fields presented by the teachers
-Explain the methodologies used in these fields
-Explain the technologies used in these fields
COMPETENCIES TO
-Discuss and criticize research articles orally and in writing
-Interpret different types of experimental data introduced in the course
-Discuss interdisciplinary aspects of the research covered in the course
-Propose experiments to test models and questions raised in research on model organisms.
Literature
See Absalon
General Molecular Biology/Almen molekylærbiologi or an equivalent course
Introduction lessons in theoretical backgrounds and practical classes including summaries and discussions of reports.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 21
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 85
  • Project work
  • 51
  • Theory exercises
  • 21
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Active participation in all exercises, presentation of published, original research papers, written reports
Exam registration requirements
Activity based attendance in all exercises is mandatory.
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
To pass the course, students should:
- be able to give a detailed description of and evaluate the exercises presented during the course
- be able to apply the presented tools to design experiments with the potential to answer defined molecular and genetic questions
- be able to interpret data from the scientific literature and relate the data to the content of the course