BIOL 2164 Principles of Molecular Biology
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to recombinant DNA technology, R-DNA cloning, and applications of R-DNA technology. It examines the importance of restriction endonucleases in gene cloning, methods of construction of vectors and their applications in developing gene libraries. The methods of screening and enrichment of libraries are also examined. The principles of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and its applications including paternity testing and fingerprinting, are also discussed. The principles of sequencing and the expansion of next-generation sequencing techniques are examined. Approaches to locating genes, including map-based gene isolation, and methods of gene silencing including RNAi and co-suppression are discussed using detailed examples. All techniques are further examined under general and holistic approaches to studying the genome, through forward and reverse genetics approaches, functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The theoretical principles discussed during the lectures are reinforced by practical exercises and assessment involving quizzes, in-lab assessments and discussions.
Assessment
