Skip to main content

Module

BIO3042 : Biotechnology: Applications

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Maxim Kapralov
  • Lecturer: Dr Jon Marles-Wright, Professor William Willats, Professor Angharad MR Gatehouse, Professor Frank Sargent, Dr Thomas Howard
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

Biotechnology provides food and materials used by humans, and is central to modern medicine. This module aims to show how genes can be modified and transferred among organisms; to illustrate how this technology leads to practical applications.
The module’s teaching is research-led, using up-to-date scientific literature and interactive teaching sessions. Students will read research papers and learn how to critically analyse them to facilitate learning.

Outline Of Syllabus

The genetic modification of organisms to enhance their usefulness to humans is becoming increasingly important in industry, agriculture and medicine. This module deals with how and why various organisms are genetically transformed using a suite of technologies, and how these technologies have led to practical applications in industry, agriculture and medicine.

Lecture topics:
Gene editing, synthetic biology, DNA assembly and gene networks, antibodies and modern research techniques.
The use of genetically modified microorganisms to produce enzymes for industrial applications. Genetic modification of plants for herbicide and pest resistance, to improve food quality, and for industrial and medical applications.
Introduction to metabolic and protein engineering.

Coursework:
Wiki based research project of genetic modification.

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable