MMB8016 : Molecular Microbiology
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Professor Waldemar Vollmer
- Lecturer: Dr Alistair Brown, Professor Jeff Errington FRS, Dr Kevin Waldron, Professor Nikolay Zenkin, Dr Henrik Strahl von Schulten, Professor Heath Murray, Dr Yulia Yuzenkova, Dr Richard Daniel
- Owning School: FMS Graduate School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
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, and how these processes can be targeted by antibiotics. The module will comprise a series of lectures and seminars by active researchers that discuss novel concepts within the field of molecular microbiology.
Outline Of Syllabus
Teaching activities will cover the following areas within two-hour lectures:
Module Introduction
Discovery of molecular mechanisms using model bacteria
ell envelope structures
Bacterial cell wall synthesis and its targeting by antibiotics
Cell membranes as key envelope components and antibiotics targets
Bacterial life without a cell wall
Bacterial cell division and coordination mechanisms
Control of DNA replication in bacteria
Mechanistic aspects of transcription and its inhibition by antibiotics
Bacterial mechanisms of cellular metal homeostasis
Complex regulatory mechanisms in bacteria
Antibiotic resistance
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | Present in person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Present in person (PIP): module introduction and lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 44:00 | 44:00 | Preparation and Submission of 2000 word Essay |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Preparation of Presentation |
| 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 |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 50 | 15 minute Oral presentation (present in person) |
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 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