Module Information

Aim: To introduce students from a range of different backgrounds to biological cells, their component parts and the molecules that make up those parts. To ensure the students understand the basic molecular mechanisms in cells. Enable students to use molecular biology techniques to produce, purify and analyse molecules in cells.

Syllabus:

• Cell Biology:
  - introduction to cell structure for eukaryotes and prokaryotes
  - molecular mechanisms of communication in cells
  - function calls
  - exercises for typical Systems Biology problems
  

• Molecular Biology:
  - introduction to biomolecules: proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, small molecules and their structures
  - cellular and extracellular environments of molecules
  - intermolecular assemblies in cells

• Molecular Biology Techniques:
  - introduction to laboratory work in general and biological laboratory work in particular
  - biological sample preparation from natural sources as well as ‘bottles’
  - protein N-terminal sequencing and DNA sequencing methods.
  - bio-Analysis of Nucleic Acids: agarose gel electrophoresis; enzymes which operate on DNA; prinicples of polymerase chain reaction (PCR); diagnostic applications of PCR
  - applications of DNA/RNA technology
  - protein overexpression
  - web data bases and literature searches on biomolecules
  
  

 Illustrative Bibliography:

1. "Molecular Biology of the Cell 5th Edition by Alberts et al (Garland Science); esp. Chapters 2, 5, 11, 12, 15, 17
2. "Biochemistry" 3rd edition by Voet and Voet (Wiley)