This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

BCH3031 - Functional genomics and molecular medicine

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Science

Coordinator(s)

Dr Peter Boag

Offered

Clayton

First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides an understanding of DNA as the genetic component of organisms and cells, encompassing the information content, the organisation of DNA sequences, and the expression of this information into RNA and proteins. Topics include global aspects of genome organisation and expression outcomes (genomics and proteomics, respectively). Other themes include the molecular diagnosis and treatment of human genetic disease using emerging technologies such as genome mining and novel gene therapy strategies.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Describe the structure, organisation and functional rearrangement of eukaryotic genomes;

Explain the mechanism of DNA replication in eukaryotic cells;

Illustrate how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes and how studies of DNA, RNA and protein levels contribute to our understanding of these processes;

Discuss how cell and animal models are used to build our understanding of disease processes and to develop potential therapies;

Describe how the application of genomic and other technologies is used to further our understanding of genomes and the treatment of disease;

Demonstrate the ability to organise, plan and successfully execute laboratory experiments relevant to advanced molecular biology, as well as analyse and report the results in a meaningful way;

Demonstrate the ability to undertake literature based research to collect and evaluate information relevant to current problems in biochemistry and molecular biology and to effectively communicate ideas in writing or orally.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 55%
Essay (2000 words): 15%
Evaluation of practicals and syndicate sessions/ data assessment/ oral presentations (30%) will take place weekly during the semester in the practical/ tutorial/ self-directed learning sessions
A pass in the final examination, and in the essay, and overall in the practicals/ sessions/ data assessment/ oral presentations must be obtained to pass the unit.