GNA5011 · Genome function

Overview

This unit will examine genomes and their functional elements with a focus on how mutational changes in the genetic sequence can lead to new phenotypes and functions. In addition to developing a strong theoretical background on genome elements, you will gain hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, used to link mutations with phenotypic changes and acquisition of new functions. The application of these methods will be demonstrated using a range of case studies and industry-related examples illustrating DNA and mutations, evolution, antibiotic resistance, microbiomes, infectious disease, recombination, gene regulation, the non-coding genome, untranslated regions, splicing, transcript processing, and translation.

Areas of study: Genetics Genomics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify functionally important sequences within a genome and explain how changes in these can impact phenotypes at both the mechanistic and molecular level;
2. Design experimental approaches to determine the functional consequences of sequence variants;
3. Demonstrate proficiency in: molecular biology and genetics laboratory techniques, problem-solving, data collection, and analysis, interpretation and presentation of results;
4. Illustrate, with examples, how the concepts presented in this unit can be applied to real-world situations.

Workload

• 2 hours of lectures; • One 3-hour laboratory/workshop and • 7 hours of independent study per week

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.