5 ECTS credits
125 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4021490DNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (D) Master - preliminary level.
The course is split into two partims with an equal weight of 9x2h HOC.
One part will be devoted to the genetic basics of prokaryotes based on the model organism Escherichia coli, the other on the genetics of model eukaryotes. Both systems are then used to demonstrate specific ways of genetic engineering in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. The course also introduces the common methods of in vitro gene technology.
Partim 1 (J. Ruytinx) will handle genetics and engineering in eukaryotes, comprising following topics:
i. The basis for genetic analysis, including discussions on Mendel, Morgan, Mortimer
ii. Eukaryote model organisms and their genomes
iii. Forward and reverse genetics
iv. Gene interactions, pathways and networks
v. Population, quantitative and evolutionary genetics
vi. Genetic engineering in yeast
Partim 2 (H. Remaut, N. Van Gerven) will handle gene technology and bacterial genetics and engineering, comprising following topics:
Students need to have had the equivalent of the course Molecular Biology in BSc program or take the course Molecular Biology as corequisite.
i. The students will acquire knowledge in genetics and will be able to define genes and genetic pathways. They will understand basic concepts of how to set up genetic screens, retrieve mutants, and study them by complementation analyses. Based on the detailed knowledge available from the model prokaryote Escherichia coli and model eukaryotes, the students will be able to dissect the molecular basis of a process or pathway.
ii. The students are familiar with basic concepts, approaches and techniques used in genetic analyses. They are able to explain these concepts and illustrate them with examples. The students are able to design an experimental set-up to analyze and decipher basic and complex genotype-phenotype relationships.
iii. The students will learn the fundamentals of recombinant gene technology.
iv. The students will have the competence, to design genetic engineering experiments with the effect to manipulate single genes, assemble parts and insert them into a vector or production host of choice and analyze the outcome of genetic engineering in design/build/test/analyze cycles.
v. The students will be able to discern genetic tools available for prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and based on the experimental design choose a suitable platform strain.
vi. Current genetic engineering developments e.g. based on genomics and whole genome synthesis will be discussed, e.g. the use of genetic engineering of complete pathways on a chromosomal scale.
vii. The students will learn based on examples, e.g. humanizing pathways in microbes, what the future potential of genetic engineering may encompass.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Exams will consist of a written preparation, followed directly by an oral exam of 25 minutes duration, jointly by the teaching staff. 50% of the questions will be derived from the 1st part, 50% will be derived from the second part (Remaut + Van Gerven).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject