PHA-20028 - Module Specification
School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2024/25

The manipulation of the genetic material, DNA, using techniques developed in the past 30-40 years, has transformed virtually the whole area of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. These techniques now allow us to study the structure and function of genes, to design and produce modified proteins, and hence has given rise to the field of protein engineering. This module aims to provide the essential background knowledge of the molecular tools used for the purpose of producing recombinant proteins and to build on this to describe some of the ways in which these tools are used in Molecular Biotechnology. The module includes practical manipulation of DNA and the use of techniques such as DNA cloning and polymerase chain reaction which play key roles in modern molecular biology. An understanding of these important techniques is key across the Biochemistry and Biomedical Science programmes; this module therefore provides students with essential background knowledge of the techniques which play key roles in modern molecular biology or biomedical laboratories.

This module aims to provide the essential background knowledge of the molecular tools used for the purpose of the recombinant production of proteins and to build on this to describe some of the ways in which these tools are used in Molecular Biotechnology. The module includes practical manipulation of DNA and the use of techniques such as DNA cloning and polymerase chain reaction which play key roles in modern molecular biology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain the principles and significance of the cloning of nucleic acid sequences, the basis of recombinant DNA technology.: 1,2
Explain the principles of the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing as they pertain to the cloning of DNA fragments.: 2
Compare and contrast the strategies and techniques used for the expression of recombinant proteins in the biotechnology field and in the analysis of gene function.: 1,2
Describe the approaches to and motivation behind efforts to engineer proteins via the use of recombinant DNA technology.: 1
Locate and retrieve information from the scientific literature in the molecular biotechnology area.: 1

Study hours

8 x 3 hr labs = 24 hrs
10 lectures = 10 hrs
Discussion with students (and formative session) 2 hrs
Workshops (intro to the lab session) = 4 hours
Independent study hours: 110 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment