Overview
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.
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.
About this paper
| Paper title | Molecular Microbiology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Microbiology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- GENE 221 or MICR 221
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
- Appropriate for students majoring in Microbiology, Genetics, Biochemistry or Molecular Biotechnology.
- Contact
- daniel.pletzer@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Convenor: Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer
- 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 2025 were:
- The bacterial genome and genetic regulatory mechanisms
- Macromolecular systems in bacteria
- Regulatory systems that respond to environmental stimuli
- Antimicrobials and bacterial defence systems
- Regulatory RNAs and CRISPR-Cas
The lecture course is complemented by a laboratory course that aims to help students develop research skills relevant to molecular microbiology.
- Teaching Arrangements
This is a first semester paper with two lectures per week. The laboratory course runs over the first four weeks of the first semester only. There is considerable flexibility in the full day lab as students may leave the lab for other commitments, such as lectures.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
Course readings are reviews and original papers from the literature.- Course outline
Contact the course convenor for a course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of central concepts and current developments in molecular microbiology.
- Assessment details
- Laboratory quizzes 10%
- Written laboratory report 20%
- 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.
Overview
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.
Molecular Microbiology explores how bacteria organise, regulate and adapt their cellular functions in changing environments. MICR 335 provides students with a strong foundation in bacterial gene regulation, environmental sensing, stress adaptation, antimicrobial responses and defence mechanisms, with examples drawn from contemporary microbiology. Lectures are complemented by a laboratory course in the first four weeks of semester, designed to develop practical skills in molecular microbiology, scientific record-keeping and reporting.
About this paper
| Paper title | Molecular Microbiology |
|---|---|
| Subject | Microbiology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- GENE 221 or MICR 221
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
Appropriate for BSc or BBiomedSc students.
- Contact
Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer: daniel.pletzer@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Convener: Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer
- Paper Structure
The lectures focus on bacterial chromosome organisation and gene regulation, core molecular systems such as translation, motility, secretion and signalling, as well as the mechanisms by which bacteria respond and adapt to environmental and antimicrobial stress. They also examine the roles of regulatory RNAs in bacterial gene control and the mechanisms and applications of CRISPR-Cas systems.
The laboratory course investigates research skills in molecular microbiology through transposon mutagenesis of plasmid pBR322 using a lambda suicide vector, followed by mapping of the bla gene within the plasmid.
- Teaching Arrangements
This is a first-semester paper with a total of twenty-four lectures, two lectures per week. The laboratory course is delivered as a four-week block (approximately twelve hours per week).
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
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Course outline
Contact the course convener for a course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- 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 demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of central concepts and current developments in molecular microbiology.
- Assessment details
Assessment Percentage of Final Grade:
- Weekly Lab Check-in Quizzes 6% (1.5% each)
- Weekly Results Write-up 12% (4% each)
- Discussion - Oral assessment 12%
- Final Exam 70%