Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course unit student should be able to

• differentiate the fundamental and advance concepts of microbial genetics,
• explain the principles of the recombinant DNA technology and the bacterial transformation,
• discuss the application of recombinant DNA organisms and their usage in Agricultural, Medical & Industrial activities,
• describe the different methods of carbohydrate metabolism present in bacteria,
• discuss the production of various metabolic products via fermentation.

Course content:
Microbial Genetics
Structure and function of prokaryotic genetic material: Chromosome structure, Prokaryotic gene and gene code. Molecular basis of inheritance: Regulation of bacterial gene expression: Induction, repression and Catabolic repression. Mutations: Types, detection and selection of mutations, Mutagens, Expression of mutations. Genetic transfer and recombination: Plasmids, Transposable elements, Transformation, Conjugation and Transduction. Genetic manipulations: recombinant DNA technology, DNA cloning and cloning vectors, Expression of foreign genes in bacteria. Genetic engineering: Industrial, Agricultural and Medical applications.

Microbial Physiology & Biochemistry
Nutrition of bacteria: Major & minor bio – elements, nutrients as energy source, growth factor requirements of bacteria. Carbohydrate metabolism in bacteria: EMP, HMP, ED & phosphoketolase pathways,

Hetorotrophic generation of ATP in bacteria: fermentation, Autotrophic generation of ATP: Chemolithotrophy, bacterial photosynthesis. Transport of nutrients in microorganisms. Biosynthesis of macromolecules in microorganisms: Amphibolic pathways, biosynthesis of proteins and lipids, Calvin cycle. Biodegradation of macromolecules

Method of teaching and learning:

A combination of lectures, tutorials, computer assisted learning and assignments.

Assessment:

Continuous assessment and end of the course unit examination.

Recommended reading:

1. Freifelder, D (1998). Molecular Biology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
2. Singer, M. and Berg, P. (1991). Genes and Genome. University Science Books, U.S.A.
3. Turner, P.C ; McLennan, A.G; Bates, A.D and White, M.R.S (1997). Instant Notes in Molecular Biology. Springer-Verlag New York.
4. Gottschalk, G (1986). Bacterial Metabolism. Springer-Verlag, New York.
5. Mandelstam, J.;.McQuillen, K. and. Dawes, I. (1983). Biochemistry of Bacterial Growth. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
6. Mohan, S.; Dow, C. and Cole, J.A. (1992). Prokaryotic Structure and function: a new perspective. Cambridge University Press
7. Synder, L. and Champness, W. (1997) Molecular Genetics of Bacteria.  American Society for Microbiology