The aim of this course is to teach genomics and molecular genetic technologies using model organisms representing plants and animals. The course will cover recent developments for studying the function of genes, including proteomics, microarrays for probing gene expression, directed and random mutagenesis, mapping genes, strategies for cloning genes and determining their function and computing databases. An objective of the course will be to develop skills in experimental design within the context of learning about biology including: signal transduction, regulation of transcription and translation, cancer, aging, drought stress and metabolic pathways.

Honours pathway option (HPO)

The HPO consists of inquiry-learning, practical exercises on molecular techniques including real-time RT-PCR to measure mRNA abundance. The additional practical exercises provide experience of extra laboratory skills, an opportunity to develop more complex data analysis and interpretive skills and an extension of the theory taught in the course.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics.
2. Explain some of the current genomics technologies and illustrate how these can be used to study gene function.
3. Obtain and analyse information and data relating to specific genes using a number of general and plant-specific databases, bioinformatics principles and tools.
4. Locate and evaluate current scientific literature and discuss the important findings of these papers in writing.
5. Perform a range of practical techniques including DNA sequencing, PCR and proteomics.
6. Design a set of experiments to address a particular biological question.

Assessment will be based on:

• Laboratory/tutorial reports (45%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• Final exam (55%; LO 1, 2, 6)

Two to three lectures per week and up to twenty six hours of laboratory and computing sessions.

BIOL2162 (preferred prerequisite); or  BIOL2161 plus one of BIOL2151 or BIOL2152.