The bacterial nucleoid and its influence on gene expression. Molecular mechanisms by which bacteria adapt to environmental change. Regulation of gene expression by proteins and small RNAs. Riboswitches. Bacterial RNA maturation.Note: This paper includes additional non-streamed lab time that does not appear in the timetable. Please contact the department for further details.
Molecular Microbiology is highly relevant to all aspects of modern microbiology. MICR 335 will provide a fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms that bacteria use to sense their environment and adapt their gene expression to optimise their growth and survival. This paper emphasises general principles and illustrates their application with topical examples. Lectures are complemented by a laboratory course, which will help you develop skills in scientific record-keeping and reporting. A research project will provide hands-on experience with many of the skills and techniques that are used in a microbial genetics laboratory.
| Paper title | Molecular Microbiology |
|---|---|
| Paper code | MICR335 |
| Subject | Microbiology |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,080.30 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $5,159.70 |
- Prerequisite
- MICR 221 or GENE 221
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
- Appropriate for students majoring in Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry or Molecular Biotechnology.
- Contact
- greg.cook@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Department of Microbiology & Immunology's website
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Professor Gregory Cook
Other Lecturers: Professor Clive Ronson, Professor Peter Fineran, Dr Jennifer Robson and Dr Kiel Hards- Paper Structure
The lecture course is divided into a number of modules, some of which change from year to year, reflecting topical issues in microbiology.
Modules for 2020 are:- General overview of genetic regulatory mechanisms (9 lectures)
- Global regulation of respiration and molecular responses to oxidative stress (6 lectures)
- Regulatory RNAs and CRISPR-Cas (6 lectures)
- Gene regulation by toxin-antitoxin modules and stationary phase adaptation (4 lectures)
The lecture course is complemented by a laboratory course that aims to help students develop research skills relevant to molecular microbiology.
Assessment:- Internal assessment based on laboratory report 25% (due at the end of week 5 of the semester, one week after the final lab)
- Assignment 5% (given out in week 3 of the semester, due 26 April)
- A written three-hour final exam comprising four either/or essay questions: 70%
To pass the paper, you must achieve a minimum of 50% overall.
- Teaching Arrangements
- This is a first semester paper with two lectures per week. The laboratory course runs over the first 4 weeks of the first semester only. Small amounts of work will also be required on additional days to laboratories. However, there is considerable flexibility in these hours, with attendance compulsory only at one specific time. Other than that, students may leave the lab for other commitments, such as lectures, and are able to plan their experiments to fit in with these commitments.
- Textbooks
- Text books are not required for this paper.
Course readings are reviews and original papers from the literature. PDFs of these will be placed on Blackboard. - Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of central concepts and current developments in molecular microbiology.
