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GENE340 Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology

Updated: 12 October 2011
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
19 August 2012 22 August 2012 Mandatory Mandatory workshop for on-campus and off-campus students.
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites BCHM330 or BCHM330A and GENE210 or GENE210A or candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science or School of Science and Technology
Co-requisites None
Restrictions GENE340A or GENE540
Notes None
Combined Units GENE540 - Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology
Coordinator(s) Ian Cassady (acassady@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit will examine the molecular techniques used to study the regulation of gene expression and the question of how the development of an animal from fertilised egg to mature organism is controlled by genes. Topics will include: the genetics of body plan development in animals, methods for manipulating genes and introducing them into eukaryotic cells, and regulation of gene expression. Laboratory sessions will utilize: plasmid DNA characterisation, cell transfection, gene expression and reporter gene assays, computational analysis of genomic and expression data. GENE540 has an additional 2500 word assignment which will include a review of recent scientific literature in the field of genes and development.
Materials Text information will be published prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment Assessment information will be published prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand the use of molecular techniques for analysing gene function and expression including gene transfer, in vitro mutagenesis, reporter genes, gene fusions, and DNA footprinting;
  2. carry out routine molecular genetic techniques such as plasmid DNA characterisation, cell transfection, gene expression and reporter gene assays, computational analysis of genomic and expression data (under supervision);
  3. understand the various mechanisms by which gene activity can be regulated including transcription factors, chromatin structure, imprinting, RNA editing, RNA stability, translational control, and DNA rearrangements;
  4. appreciate how molecular and genetic methods are used in combination to determine how genes regulate developmental processes; and
  5. analyse and interpret the results of molecular genetic experiments used to study gene regulation and development, as presented in scientific journal articles.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Students will study the molecular genetic techniques used to investigate the regulation of gene expression and the problem of how the development of an animal from fertilised egg to mature organism is controlled by genes. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will practise written communication skills by writing practical reports and an assignment. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will learn to use computer software to analyse DNA and protein sequence and they will use the Australian Genome Information Service (WebANGIS) to search an international database of DNA sequences (GenBank). ANGIS also provides information retrieval through Medline so that information about all the sequences in DNA databases is linked to each database. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
The students will learn how to read scientific articles through an assignment which will require that students answer a structured set of questions designed to teach the students how to approach the reading of a scientific article. 		True True True
6 Problem Solving
The whole focus of the course is based on developing the skills to interpret the results of scientific experiment and applying their knowledge to solving scientific problems. As this is the main aim of the unit, the exams will be open book. 		True True True
8 Team Work
In the practical sessions, students will work in teams. 		True
   

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