521-302 Functional Genomics

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211, 521-212 and either 521-220, 521-221 plus 521-222 (prior to 2001); or 521-024; or 521-213 plus physiology 536-250.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of the program the student should have developed a detailed understanding of current concepts concerning molecular aspects of evolution, the molecular bases of genome structure and gene expression and the regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms (animals and plants); a theoretical background to recombinant DNA technology and an appreciation of its biomedical and biotechnological applications; an appreciation of the significance and applications of human and related genome sequencing programs; and the ability to read critically original scientific literature in the field. Subject content includes structure of genes and chromosomes; molecular aspects of transcription and RNA maturation; regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels; gene expression profiling and proteomics; ribosome biogenesis as a major example of the co-ordination of gene expression and RNA processing; re-arrangements of the genome; proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes; identification and functional characterisation of candidate genes for human familial disease (major example, breast cancer); molecular aspects of evolution; ribozymes and the catalytic and antisense functions of RNA; applied genomics; and recombinant DNA technology, including recombinant protein expression systems with particular reference to investigations based on transfected cell culture, transgenic and gene knockout systems.

Assessment

A 2.5-hour end-of-semester written examination (80%) plus continuous assessment based on up to four short tests and/or oral presentation and written assignment (20%).

Prescribed Texts

• H Lodish et al, Molecular Cell Biology. 4th ed., Sci. Amer. Books, 2000.