526-301 Microbial Cells and Genomes

Formerly known as 526-301 Biotechnology 1: Microbial Genes and Cells.

Microbiology 526-201; either biochemistry 521-211 and 521-212, or genetics 652-214 and 652-215; one of microbiology 526-221, biochemistry 521-220 or genetics 652-216.

BBiomedSc students: microbiology 526-201 or 526-205; 521-213 and 536-250.

By the end of the subject students should:

• understand fundamental concepts of cell division, cell growth, and the transfer of substrates, macromolecules and signals across cell membranes;

• be able to describe the ways in which microorganisms function and interact with their environment and each other and regulate their genetic and metabolic potential to ensure their continued existence;

• be familiar with techniques and strategies such as mutant construction, and molecular cloning that are used to dissect microbial function;

• appreciate how microbial behaviour can be modified by changes to genotype or environment to facilitate use of microbes in biotechnological processes; and

• have developed the skills necessary to read and comprehend scientific papers and interpret genomic data in electronic databases.

Students will enhance their ability to utilise information from textbooks, scientific literature and computer-based sources and logically apply broad principles to address a particular scientific question.

A written assignment of up to 3000 words due during the semester (20%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%).

• M Schaechter, J L Ingraham and F C Neidhardt, Microbe. 2006.