Overview
Organisation, reorganisation, replication and sequencing of genomes. Regulation of gene expression and transcriptome analysis. RNA as a catalytic and regulatory molecule. Deducing gene function through bioinformatics.
DNA encodes the so-called "blueprint" of life which must be transformed into cellular actions that ultimately determine the makeup of whole organisms. BIOC 352 aims to help you understand more about how the molecular machinery of the cell interacts to maintain and replicate DNA and regulate expression of genes and other elements encoded in DNA. The paper focuses on the latest developments in our understanding of the interactions between different types of DNA, RNA and proteins and their relevance to the function and health of a range of different organisms. We use "state-of-the art" genomic technologies to analyse DNA and RNA and help students develop the highly sought after bioinformatics skills required to interpret these data.
About this paper
| Paper title | Advanced Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biochemistry |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,173.30 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- BIOC 192 and BIOC 221
- Recommended Preparation
- One of BIOC 222, BIOC 223, GENE 221, GENE 222, GENE 223
- Schedule C
- Science
- Notes
- In approved cases a 200-level GENE paper may be substituted for BIOC192.
- Eligibility
- This paper is required to major in Biochemistry but is also suitable for a broad range of students with an interest in Molecular Biology, particularly those studying Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology as well as other Medical Science disciplines.
- Contact
- biochem300.tf@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
- Textbooks
- Voet, D., Voet, J. G., and Pratt, C. W., Fundamentals of Biochemistry, John Wiley & Sons.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Articulate a detailed understanding of DNA replication, maintenance and rearrangement and of the components and mechanisms of regulation of gene expression
- Critically evaluate research findings and communicate these findings to a specialist audience
- Understand the relationship between hypothesis, experimental design and data, and know how to apply this to attain knowledge
- Design and execute experiments using contemporary molecular biology techniques
- Analyse DNA and RNA sequence data using contemporary bioinformatics tools and extract biological meaning from this information
Timetable
Overview
Organisation, reorganisation, replication and sequencing of genomes. Regulation of gene expression and transcriptome analysis. RNA as a catalytic and regulatory molecule. Deducing gene function through bioinformatics.
DNA encodes the so-called "blueprint" of life which must be transformed into cellular actions that ultimately determine the makeup of whole organisms. BIOC 352 aims to help you understand more about how the molecular machinery of the cell interacts to maintain and replicate DNA and regulate expression of genes and other elements encoded in DNA. The paper focuses on the latest developments in our understanding of the interactions between different types of DNA, RNA and proteins and their relevance to the function and health of a range of different organisms. We use "state-of-the art" genomic technologies to analyse DNA and RNA and help students develop the highly sought after bioinformatics skills required to interpret these data.
About this paper
| Paper title | Advanced Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biochemistry |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2025 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- BIOC 221
- Recommended Preparation
- One of BIOC 192, GENE 221, GENE 222, GENE 223, STAT 110, STAT 115
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
This paper is suitable for a broad range of students with an interest in Molecular Biology, particularly those studying Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Biotechnology as well as other Biomedical Science disciplines.
- Contact
- biochem300.tf@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Course Coordinators: Associate Professor Anita Dunbier and Dr Ben Peters
- Paper Structure
Lectures are held twice a week for the semester with a third lecture per week for half of the semester.
Labs are held once a week per stream for five weeks.
- Teaching Arrangements
Arrangements can be made for students to leave the lab for other commitments such as lectures and are able to plan their laboratory experiments to fit in with those commitments.
- Textbooks
- Voet, D., Voet, J. G., and Pratt, C. W., Fundamentals of Biochemistry, John Wiley & Sons.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Articulate a detailed understanding of DNA replication, maintenance and rearrangement and of the components and mechanisms of regulation of gene expression
- Critically evaluate research findings and communicate these findings to a specialist audience
- Understand the relationship between hypothesis, experimental design and data, and know how to apply this to attain knowledge
- Design and execute experiments using contemporary molecular biology techniques
- Analyse DNA and RNA sequence data using contemporary bioinformatics tools and extract biological meaning from this information
- Assessment details
25% Internal assessments
75% Final examination