MOB-20306 Gene Technology

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BIC-10306 Practical Biological Chemistry and BIC-20306 Cell Physiology and Genetics or GEN-11806 Fundamentals of Genetics and Molecular Biology.

Continuation courses:

MOB-31303 Molecular Development; MOB-30306 Control of cellular processes and cell differentiation; MOB-30806 Regulation of plant development.

Contents:

Note: This course has a maximum number of participants. The deadline for registration is one week earlier than usual.
See Academic Year.(http://www.wur.nl/en/Education-Programmes/Current-Students/Agenda-Calendar-Academic-Year.htm) -> Registration for Courses.
Recombinant DNA technology has brought about a revolution in our understanding of molecular processes in living organisms. To date, there is no field in experimental biology that has remained untouched by the potential of isolating, analyzing and manipulating genes and organisms. Thus, gene technology provides essential tools in both fundamental and applied medical, industrial, agricultural, environmental and biological research.
In this course we will focus on four major topics, including (i) production of transgenic mammals, (ii) disrupting gene functions using knockouts and RNAi, (iii) transgenic mice as human model systems and (iv) production of transgenic crops. In addition to conventional lectures that will outline the major procedures, applications and some research papers, students will be challenged by virtual (computer based modules) experimental designs on the generation and characterization of transgenic animals and plants.
The practical course involves biomolecular techniques to illustrate the identification, characterization and complementation of mutations in organisms based on phenotype. Basic and more advanced gene technology will be applied such as genomic and plasmid DNA isolation, PCR, golden gate cloning, transformation, restriction/digestion and complementation analysis. These experiments will be supported in a virtual environment.
Due to a limited number of places available in the practical part of the course, students are encouraged to register in time. Students for with this course is compulsory or restricted optional take precedence.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- explain methods currently used to clone, analyse and manipulate genes and to introduce foreign genes into animals and plants;
- design experimental strategies and interpret experimental data involving gene technology;
- apply basic recombinant DNA techniques, to interpret the results of these experiments involving these techniques, and to incorporate the results in a written report;
- apply basic regulations when working with genetically modified micro-organisms.

Activities:

- lectures;
- computer-based designs and analysis of experiments involving cloning, and construction of transgenic animals and plants;
- laboratory experiments;
- writing a report of the practical course.

Examination:

- written test with open and multiple choice questions (50%);
- laboratory skills (25%);
- report of the practical part (25%).
The minimum mark for both the theoretical and the practical part is a 5.5. The partial marks will be valid for 6 years.

Literature:

E-reader, and E-manual for the practical part.