BIO2030 : Biotechnology: Principles and Practice
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Martin Edwards
- Lecturer: Professor Angharad MR Gatehouse, Dr Timothy Boswell
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To inform students about the technology that is currently used in the analysis and engineering of genes and to give students practical experience in this technology. Also to introduce the principles of allied technologies (proteomics, transcriptomics, and cell culture) and expose students to relevant industrial uses of these technologies.
Lab practicals will provide students with intensive training in modern molecular biological methods centred around tools and techniques for DNA and protein isolation and characterisation. Students will be taken through a logically connected sequence of experiments on a biological system that will allow them to collect experimental data for presentation and analysis. This helps to equip students to carry out final year laboratory based research projects, as well as increasing their practical and data processing skills.
The module, along with others, provides students with underpinning theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for the final year biotechnological modules and projects offered by the School.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module introduces the technology currently used in the analysis and engineering of genes. It also introduces the principles of allied technologies (proteomics, transcriptomics, and cell culture) and exposes students to industry through a site visit to a biotech company and provides an introduction to the use of a model-guided design for experimentation in biotechnology.
Lecture topics:
Gene and cDNA cloning
DNA sequencing.
Protein engineering.
High-level regulated expression of heterologous genes in microbial systems.
Genome editing.
Creation of transgenic plants, animals and microorganisms; introduction to applications of the technology in medicine, agriculture and industry.
Outlines of proteomics, transcriptomics.
Outline of plant and animal cell culture.
Introduction to model-guided design for biotechnology.
Practicals
The lectures will be underpinned by a series of practicals, which will focus on:
PCR from plasmid DNA
Preparing antibiotic screening plates
Transformation of E. coli
Colony PCR to measure transformation success
Plasmid extraction and restriction digestion
Protein extraction, chromatography, quantification, and protein gels
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 1:00 | 7:00 | Formal taught session following review of non-synchronous material |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 7 | 3:00 | 21:00 | Lecture materials and activities based around these materials |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Data analysis report (30%) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | End of module assessment (70%) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 5 | 6:00 | 30:00 | PiP - Students will be present in the laboratory for practical sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Reading to prepare for laboratory sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Preparation for revision session |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Module Leader will be available via Teams to answer general student queries. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 45:00 | 45:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:30 | 3:00 | Whole-cohort sessions; module introduction and final revision |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures provide factual material; the practical classes introduce and allow students to practise laboratory skills and important techniques; the field trip exposes the students to a biotechnological company, to their industrial site, and to explanations of their purposes and methods.
The practicals give students hands-on experience in fundamental laboratory techniques with appropriate supervision and guidance. Practical skill assessment completed during the workshop will assess knowledge of methodology. Private study, both during and after the workshop, is necessary for students to absorb information gained from instruction and practical work, to deepen knowledge and understanding through reading of supporting references, and to prepare assignments on data analysis and comprehension.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 30 | Data analysis report (1000 words plus analysis) |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 70 | Time limited essay (2000 words max, including references) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | Daily feedback on lab skills given during lab workshop |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written assessment is designed to test understanding, synthesis and analysis, and retention of the important concepts of recombinant DNA technology. Both subject-specific and key skill learning outcomes are
assessed by the requirement to present a data analysis report in an acceptable scientific format. will receive immediate verbal feedback on the success, and how they can improve the outcome of the experiments performed during the workshop.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BIO2030's Timetable