Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHB2500

 
TITLE Applied Molecular Bioscience 2: Gene Expression and RNA Technology

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Physiology and Biochemistry

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit describes the complex processes that regulate the expression of genes and formation of functional proteins that are necessary for life. Emphasis is given to aberrant processes that result in disease and also the design of RNA-based technology for research and translational medicine.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit seeks to present students with a description of the complexity of gene expression, explaining the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The different mechanisms that regulate the expression of genes are substantiated with selected examples. Various RNA technologies are explained in the context of experimental design and their application to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Describe the synthesis of the different forms of RNA;
- Correlate the structure with the function of different RNAs;
- Compare and contrast the mechanisms of transcription in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems;
- Describe the post-transcriptional modifications that form mature RNA and their biological purpose;
- Explain the organisation of the genetic code in the context of cellular protection against the effect of point mutations;
- Give an overview with the aid of examples of the diverse mechanisms that regulate the expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene systems;
- Describe the synthesis of proteins in prokaryotes in comparison with the eukaryotic system;
- Argue the relevance of correct protein folding to cellular health;
- Explain with examples the manner in which the cell performs controlled protein degradation to control cellular homeostasis;
- Define the term transcriptosome with regards to the information it provides about cellular status; and
- Explain how RNA-dependent technology is developed from knowledge of RNA metabolism.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Design different experiments to obtain information related to gene expression;
- Discuss the application of different RNA methodologies;
- Plan relevant control experiments;
- Discuss the data obtained by RT-PCR, microarray technology and next generation sequencing;
- Troubleshoot results;
- Perform quality assurance of experimentation; and
- Follow basic principles of relevant data interpretation.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

Nelson, D. L. and Cox, M. M.. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 6th edition. New York, Worth Publishers. 2013.

Supplementary Reading:

Watson, D. J., Baker, T, A., Gann, A., Levine, M. and Losick, R. Molecular Biology of the Gene. 7th edition. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Press. 2013.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Report SEM1 Yes 10%
Multiple Choice Questions Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 90%

 
LECTURER/S Lucienne Gatt
Laura Grech
Gary J. Hunter
Therese Hunter (Co-ord.)
Brendon Scicluna

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit