| CODE | PHB5050 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Biochemical Research Methods | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Physiology and Biochemistry | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The theory and practice of common biochemical techniques will be discussed in the lectures. Many of these methods will be used by the students while conducting their research for the masters program. Where applicable, practical laboratory sessions involving either student participation or equipment demonstrations will be used. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit will give students not only a theoretical background to laboratory protocols used in biochemistry for the manipulation and analysis of proteins and DNA, but also working knowledge of these applied at the laboratory bench. Most of the methods will be utilised during the course of the students' research program and these lectures are designed to give the students a full understanding of the underlying scientific principles involved as well as the research skills required. The student will develop competencies based on knowledge and laboratory skills that are necessary to design and perform experiments, to plan experimental controls, to troubleshoot discrepancies in the data and to critically analyse data in a professional manner. By the end of the study unit the student will have the capacity to communicate professionally with the scientific community. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Choose a buffer substance for a particular procedure and calculate component concentrations. 2. Understand the methods involved in cloning genes from various organisms. 3. Understand the methods involved in expressing genes in various organisms. 4. Describe the methods used to sequence DNA and proteins. 5. Explain how spectrophotometry can be used to study proteins and DNA. 6. Design PCR based experiments. 7. Describe the chromatographic principles of protein purification. 8. Understand how enzyme kinetics is measured. 9. Describe the methods of cell disruption. 10. Construct plasmid maps in silico. 11. Describe the precautions to be taken when handling DNA and RNA in the laboratory. 12. Understand the principles of microbiological techniques. 13. Explain why controls are vital for any experiment. 14. Fluent in local and European biosafety legistation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Prepare a buffer of the correct pH and concentration. 2. Be capable of measuring small volumes with precision and accuracy. 3. Estimate DNA concentration by Absorbance measurements. 4. Estimate protein concentration by Absorbance measurements. 5. Estimate protein concentration by dye-binding techniques using standard curves. 6. Design primers for PCR and DNA sequencing experiments. 7. Assemble chromatographic equipment. 8. Analyse protein purification results and prepare a purification table. 9. Measure enzyme activity. 10. Utilise microorganisms in the laboratory and construct growth curves. 11. Design experiments to solve a specific biochemical problem. 12. Troubleshoot experimental steps. 13. Plan experimental controls. 14. Critically analyse and present data. 15. Extract, identify and manipulate nucleic acids. 16. Search for scientific literature and critically evaluate the literature. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry David L. Nelson Michael M. Cox Fifth Edition ©2009 ISBN-10: 0-7167-7108-X ISBN-13: 978-0-7167-7108-1 Available in LIbrary |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-requisite Study-unit: PAT5806 | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Byron Baron Gary J. Hunter (Co-ord.) |
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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. |
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