Genotype to Phenotype and Back Again

Code

LIFE2063

School

Life Sciences

Level

2

Credits

20

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

This module has two component halves to it, and uses membrane transporters, channels to exemplify approaches to understanding the correlation between genotype and phenotype.

Transporters and channels are groups of proteins responsible for controlling the flow of substances across lipid bilayers. They are ubiquitous in biology and critical for cellular homeostasis. In humans, a large number of diseases can be traced back to defects in either transporter or channel proteins. In this module, which combines lectures, workshops and problem based learning, students would learn the basic transporter and channel biology, and then apply this knowledge to design virtual experiments, the simulated results of which would gradually reveal the molecular basis of a transporter or channel related disease. A series of “virtual experiments” are designed by students, with appropriate controls, in order to probe the function of a particular gene in a physiological condition. The results of these experiments are returned to students, who must then interpret their findings and use these to direct additional experiments. As the students progress they are required to present their data in the form of a mini-review, a research paper, and a conference-type presentation.

Target Students

Module open to all students undertaking programmes U6UBCHMY / U7UBIOCH (C700/C703), U6UBCHMG / U7UBCHMG (CC47/CC4R) or U6UBCHMM / U7UBIOMM (C741/C742).Also open to other students, but only with the written agreement of the module convenor.Students are reminded that enrolments which are not agreed in writing by the named module convenor may be cancelled without notice.

Co-requisites

Modules you must take in the same academic year, or have taken in a previous year, to enrol in this module:

• Genes, Molecules and Cells

Classes

This module may be delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and labs etc

Assessment

• 50% Coursework 1: Individual review article (Autumn).
• 50% Coursework 2: Individual research paper (Spring).

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

With appropriate reference to the HEFCE/QAA descriptors for Biosciences

A. - Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. know and explain the structure and function of cell membranes,
ii. explain how the principles of genetics underlie much of the basis of molecular biology
iii. explain a range of appropriate and relevant experimental techniques and how they
iv. describe protein structures and functions and their control mechanisms and give detailed examples of how structure enables function
v. to devise and evaluate suitable experimental methods for the investigation of relevant areas of biochemistry and molecular biology

B. - Intellectual skills
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically from a variety of sources (Coursework 1)
ii. to construct grammatically correct documents in an appropriate academic style and format, using and referencing relevant ideas and evidence (Coursework 3)

C. - Professional and Practical Skills
Analytical and data interpretation skills
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. to receive and respond to a variety of sources of information: textual, numerical, verbal, graphical (Coursework and Workshops)
ii. to understand and manipulate numerical data (Workshops)
iii. Biosciences graduates should be able to determine the validity and rigour of statistical outcomes. (Coursework 1)

D. - Personal and professional development skills
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. Biosciences graduates should be able to develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (All Coursework)

E. - Transferable/Key Skills
Communication, presentation and information technology skills
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. to communicate about their subject employing appropriate scientific language (Coursework 1, 2 and 3)
ii. to cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism (Coursework 1 and 3)
iii. to use the internet and other electronic sources critically as a means of communication and a source of information.(all module)

F. - Interpersonal and teamwork skills
On completion of this module students should be able to:
i. to identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities and perform in a manner appropriate to these roles, (Coursework 2)
ii. to recognise and respect the views and opinions of other team members (Coursework 2 and workshops)
iii. to evaluate their own performance as an individual and a team member (Coursework 2)
iv. to evaluate the performance of others (Coursework 2)

Conveners

• Dr Andrew Bennett
• Dr Ian Kerr