University of Essex

BS221-5-AU-CO:
Molecular Biology: Genes, Proteins and Disease

The details

Year: 2024/25

Department: Life Sciences (School of)

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Autumn

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 03 October 2024

End date: Friday 13 December 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 04 July 2024

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): BS312, BS320

Key module for

BSC C700 Biochemistry,
BSC C701 Biochemistry (Including Placement Year),
BSC C703 Biochemistry (Including Year Abroad),
BSC CR00 Biochemistry (Including Foundation Year),
BSC B990 Biomedical Science,
BSC B991 Applied Biomedical Science (NHS placement),
BSC B995 Biomedical Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC B999 Biomedical Science (Including Placement Year),
BSC BD00 Biomedical Science (Including Foundation Year),
MSCIB099 Biomedical Science,
MSCIBA99 Biomedical Science (Including Placement Year),
MSCIBB99 Biomedical Science (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C400 Genetics,
BSC C402 Genetics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C403 Genetics (Including Placement Year),
BSC CK00 Genetics (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C110 Biotechnology,
BSC C111 Biotechnology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C112 Biotechnology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C113 Biotechnology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C200 Human Biology,
BSC C201 Human Biology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C202 Human Biology (Including Placement Year),
BSC C220 Human Biology (Including Foundation Year),
MSCIC098 Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Including Year Abroad),
MSCIC099 Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Including Placement Year),
MSCICZ99 Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Module description

Molecular biology is central to nearly all aspects of our knowledge of how biology "works" at a molecular level. This module explores the breadth of processes involved in the expression of eukaryote genes, including the latest techniques used in molecular biology with an emphasis on genetic engineering and the production of therapeutic proteins.

The process of gene expression begins with the regulatory proteins that combine to assemble the transcriptional machinery at the promoter of a gene, followed by the processing and turnover of RNA transcripts. We move on to address the processes of protein synthesis, protein folding and the post-transcriptional modification of proteins. Throughout the module there will be an emphasis on the impact of disease on these processes and opportunity for treatment presented by applying an understanding of the molecular biology.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To explore the breadth of processes involved in the expression of eukaryote genes, including the latest techniques used in molecular biology with an emphasis on genetic engineering and the production of therapeutic proteins

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

Describe the structural organisation of the gene and associated regulatory sequences

Explain the process of transcription and the regulation of gene expression

Describe how proteins are synthesized, targeted and degraded in cells

Understand a range of molecular biology techniques including PCR, cloning, mutagenesis and protein expression

Demonstrate competence in the analysis and interpretation of data, written communication, practical DNA manipulation techniques

Module information

1. Practical class I: Introduction to BioBricks (PC lab). Design, digest, and ligate DNA in silico to visualise synthetic biology (SynBio) cloning methods. Design a novel biosensor using BioBricks.

2. Practical class II: Restriction digest, ligation, and transformation to create clones of multicoloured bacteria.

3. Practical class III: Purify and analyse a fluorescent (GFP-tagged) protein.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

15 x 1 hour lectures
2 x 2 hour PC practical
2 x 3 hour practical

Bibliography

Trouble with accessing resources? (no date). Available at: https://essex.libwizard.com/id/0ca0192f0d51b4c22469d6030fd1306f.
Lodish, H. (2021) Molecular Cell Biology. Ninth edition. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/926392.
Ahmed, N., Glencross, H. and Wang, Q. (eds) (2022) Biomedical science practice: experimental & professional skills. Third edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2074569.
Blann, A.D. (2018) Data handling and analysis. Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/303093.
Orchard, G. and Nation, B. (eds) (2015) Cell structure & function. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/190686.
Warford, A. and Presneau, N. (2019) Molecular diagnostics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/407948.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Deadline	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Molecular Mechanisms		5%
Coursework	Prac 1: SynBio		20%
Coursework	Gene Expression		15%
Coursework	Post-Transc Regulation		5%
Coursework	Prac 3: GFP Protein		25%
Coursework	Prac 2: Biosensor Worksheet	29/11/2024	30%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Joaquin De Navascues, email: j.denavascues@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Andrew Simkin, Dr Gareth Wright

Contact details: School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Prof Richard Bowater

Institution: University of East Anglia

Academic role: Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 50 hours, 28 (56%) hours available to students:
21 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
1 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Life Sciences (School of)

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

BS221-5-AU-CO:Molecular Biology: Genes, Proteins and Disease