Molecular biology of microorganisms
Dr Andrew Davidson
12 points * 10 hours per week - four 1-hour lectures, 6 hours practical * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: MIC2011 and MIC2022
Objectives On the completion of this subject students should understand the theoretical basis of numerical taxonomy classification systems; the structure and function of bacterial cell walls; the processes of protein secretion and export in gram negative bacteria; the methods on which recombinant DNA technology is based, including gene cloning, genetic mapping, nucleic acid hybridisation and sequencing, mutagenesis and gene expression systems; the mechanisms by which bacteria are able to protect themselves from DNA damage and to carry out both homologous and site directed genetic recombination events; the applications of recombinant DNA technology to vaccine production, the diagnosis of infectious diseases and molecular tagging; the great diversity and special features of viral genomes, gene expression and replication in eukaryotic cells; the role of viruses in infectious disease, the relationship with their hosts and the mechanisms underlying viral pathogenesis.
Synopsis This advanced subject extends material covered in MIC2011 and MIC2022 especially in relation to the areas of bacterial and viral molecular biology. Specific aspects of the molecular biology of these microorganisms are examined, including molecular genetics, control of gene expression, the intracellular transport and secretion of macromolecules in bacteria and the diverse mechanisms of viral replication. The subject demonstrates the impact studies on the molecular biology of microorganisms has had on the development of recombinant DNA technology and describes the applications of this technology to microbiology.
Assessment Written (2000 words): 10% * Examinations (3 hours): 55% * Practical work/Laboratory work: 35%
Prescribed texts
Brock T D and others Biology of microorganisms 7th edn, Prentice-Hall, 1994
Cann A J Principles of molecular virology Academic Press, 1993
Recommended texts
Davis B D and others Microbiology 4th edn, Lippincott, 1990
Glick B R and Pasternak J J Molecular biotechnology ASM Press, 1994
Lewin B Genes 5th edn, OUP, 1994
Old R W and Primrose S B Principles of gene manipulation 5th edn, Blackwell, 1994
White D and Fenner F Medical virology 4th edn, Academic Press, 1994
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