MMB8016 : Molecular Microbiology
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Richard Daniel
- Lecturer: Dr Alistair Brown, Dr Ling Juan Wu, Professor Heath Murray, Dr Kevin Whitley, Professor Henrik Strahl von Schulten, Mr Manuel Banzhaf, Dr Katarzyna Mickiewicz, Professor Nikolay Zenkin
- Deputy Module Leader: Dr Yulia Yuzenkova
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module provides an up to date understanding of how fundamental research in bacterial cell biology helps to elucidate central biological questions such as the control and regulation of cell division and of gene expression in bacteria. It will also provide an introduction into how understanding basic cellular processes can be used to understand the mechanisms by which antibiotics specifically inhibit certain bacteria and permit the identification of new targets for the development of novel antimicrobial treatments.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will comprise of a series of lectures and seminars by active researchers that discuss novel concepts within the field of molecular microbiology mostly in the form of two-hour lectures.
The lecture sequence will comprise of a module introduction followed by lectures on specific aspects of bacterial cell biology. The objective being to give an overview of the methods used in the discovery of molecular mechanisms used by model bacteria and the application of this in understanding the basic processes involved in bacterial growth and development in terms of regulation and biological function. It will also look at aspects of the interaction of bacterial spp. and/or bacteriophages with respect to the development of antibacterial strategies.
The topic areas would include, but not restricted to:
Cell envelope and membrane structure and synthesis
Bacterial growth, cell division and coordination mechanisms
Control of DNA replication and segregation in bacteria
Mechanistic aspects of transcription, translation and regulation of gene expression
Bacteriophage predation of bacteria and mechanisms of host defence against infection
Use of antibiotics as tools to understand complex cellular processes
Identification of the mechanisms by which antibiotic kill bacteria and the development of novel antibacterial agents
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Preparation of Presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 44:00 | 44:00 | Preparation and Submission of 2000 word Essay |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): module introduction and lecture |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | Present in person (PIP): presentations |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 100:00 | 100:00 | Preparation of Notes from Lectures and Reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will be interactive encouraging students to question concepts and ideas and to develop critical analytical skills when interrogating the wider literature. There will be an opportunity in seminars to discuss the contents of the module in a wider context including questions around specific ideas arising from self-directed study.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 50 | Written critique: 2000 words |
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 50 | 15 minute Oral presentation (present in person) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | To provide an introduction to the expectations of the summative assessments the students will be required to provide a set of slides (5 maximum) that summarise a research paper selected from a list provided. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessments methods are designed to encourage and test key skills that are required for a career in postgraduate research. Specifically:
The interpretation of the content of a research paper is to assess the student’s knowledge of the subject and their analytical skills and capacity to evaluate experimental data and to understand how bacteria underpin research in molecular microbiology. The key criterion of this exercise is to relate to the publications results to what was already established, evaluate its contributions to the field (both the specific subject area and the wider implication of the results) and suggested how the work may be continued.
The oral presentation is to assess the student’s ability to communicate their ideas clearly, effectively and authoritatively on the subject to an informed audience. Oral presentation also assesses the student’s ability to adapt to and answer questions.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MMB8016's Timetable