| Course Code | MIBI 43774 |
| Title |
Microbial genetics and Bio-informatics |
| Pre-requisite | All MIBI core course units of the B. Sc. General Degree programme |
Learning outcomes:
At the end of the course unit student should be able to
- describe the manipulation of biological molecules in bacteria for detection, identification and genome transformation,
- apply the genetic manipulation in basic research,
- apply the basic principles of bio-informatics to study the microbial gene sequences.
Course content:
Microbial Genetics
Structure and organization of the bacterial chromosomes; Bacterial plasmids; Transfer of genetic material among bacteria; Gene expression in prokaryotes; Gene organization in bacteriophages and different mechanisms of transcription. Structure and organization of the eukaryotic chromosomes (yeast), Gene organization in eukaryotes; RNA synthesis and processing in eukaryotes; Transposable elements.
Genetic manipulation
Cloning strategies, identification of recombinants; insertional inactivation, colony hybridization, DNA probes, Expression systems; design of expression vectors, other bacterial systems; strategies of gene expression in eukaryotic cells, general review of the application of genetic manipulation in basic research, medical research, biotechnology, recombinant organisms. Genetically manipulated organisms, risks of benefits.
Bio-informatics:
Introduction to bio-informatics, Basic of bio-computing, data base techniques to gene sequence information, Gene sequence alignments, Microbiological database and their management in relation to taxonomy, Comparative genomics and proteomics, basic laboratory work in bio-informatics and project work on selected areas in bio-informatics
Method of teaching and learning:
Throughout the year course with a combination of lectures, tutorials assignments and computer assisted learning.
Assessment:
Continuous assessment and end of the course examination.
Recommended reading:
- Anderson, P and Ganetzky, B (1997) An electronic companion to genetics workbook. Cogito Learning Media, Inc
- Freifelder, D (1983): Molecular Biology: 2nd Ed., John Wiley and Sons.
- Sambrook, J., Frtsch, E.F and Maniatis, T. (1989) Molecular Cloning a Laboratory manual 2nd Ed. Vol. 1, 2, and3. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
- Singer,M and Berg,P (1991) Genes and Genome. University Science Books CA94941.