MOB-31812 Toolbox Molecular Biology

Course

Credits 12.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

MOB-20306 Gene Technology, and MOB-30306 Control of Cellular Processes and Cell Differentiation or MOB-30806 Regulation of Plant Development or MOB-31303 Molecular Development, or PHP-30806 Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactons.

Contents:

The rapid evolution of the speed in which DNA can be analysed has brought about a revolution in our understanding of living organisms. There is no field of fundamental and applied biological research that is untouched by the power we now have to isolate, analyse and manipulate genes. Whether taxonomy or gene therapy is in question - to mention the extremes - all research fields benefit from the potential of identifying, isolating and modifying genes. At the cradle of this revolution stands the application of DNA recombinant technology. Because recombinant DNA techniques are instrumental to such a wide variety of research fields, it is of major importance for students of various disciplines to master various techniques and to acquire the molecular biological line of thought.
The primary goal of the MolBi-ToolBox is to provide students a broad, experimental overview of the state-of-the-art of the diverse techniques for isolating, analysing and manipulating genetic material. In concert, bioinformatics is applied either to extract data from databases or to do in silico experiments to analyse gene expression and gene function.
It is aimed to deal with a selection (based on the subject that will be worked on) of the following topics:
- Isolation of gene;
- DNA sequencing and computer-directed genomic database screening;
- Gene expression studies;
- Gene manipulation and transfection;
- Analysis transgenic organisms;
- In silico technologies.
Due to a limited number of places available in the laboratory, students have to register at the secretariat of Molecular Biology and are encouraged to register in time. Students for which this course is compulsory or restricted optional take precedence.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- apply diverse techniques for isolating, manipulating and analysing genetic material;
- retrieve background information relevant to the research topic;
- carry out independently several experiments simultaneously;
- collaborate with companion students both in experiments as well as in documentation of the experiments;
- interpret the results of these experiments, and to incorporate the results in an oral presentation and a written report.

Activities:

- to do experiments according to the English written manuals and design experiments;
- to moderate with companion students;
- learn how to perform literature and data base searches;
- to work as a team, both in experiments as in writing a report;
- oral presentation.

Examination:

The final mark will be based on:
- research competence (50%);
- thesis report (10%);
- colloquium (30%);
- teamwork (10%).

Literature:

Literature is not available.