Course syllabus for Advanced molecular and synthetic biology

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-07 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameAvancerad molekylär och syntetisk biologi
  • CodeBBT071
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPBIO
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyBioengineering
  • DepartmentBIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 08131
  • Maximum participants30 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0123 Written and oral assignments 1.5 c
Grading: TH		 1.5 c
0223 Project 1.5 c
Grading: TH		 1.5 c
0323 Oral examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH		 4.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Basic knowledge in molecular biology, biochemistry, applied microbiology and manipulation of biological systems

Aim

This course aims to provide advanced, state-of-the-art knowledge in RNA and DNA based molecular and synthetic biology methods and applications

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Understand advanced synthetic and molecular biology concepts and methodologies and be able to apply these for studying and improving relevant biological systems.
- Critically review, interpret and discuss scientific articles and studies in the field of synthetic and molecular biology.
- Design and plan the execution of an advanced laboratory project, incl. computer aided design of nucleic acid constructs.
- Be able to connect fundamental studies in molecular and synthetic biology to biotechnological applications.

Content

- Analysis and interpretation of scientific articles

-In silico synthetic or molecular biology project as a group assignment

- Structure and function of nucleic acids in vitro and in biological systems
- Gene replication and regulation at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level
- RNA-protein interactions and RNA-protein inclusions (mRNPs) in post-transcriptional gene regulation
- Methods used to study and measure post-transcriptional mRNA translation, stability and localization
- Methods to investigate structure and dynamics of nucleic acids and processes involving these

- Technologies and applications for synthetic biology in vivo
- Genetic parts, devices, synthetic circuits
- DNA assembly methods
- Synthetic genomes
- Advanced CRISPR/Cas9 based technologies including CRISPRa/i and CRISPR-based high throughput screening
- Genetic biosensors, in vivo evolution and biosensor-based high throughput screening

- RNA as a therapeutic and research tool
- Design and function of RNA-based therapeutic modalities and their clinical potential
- Use of RNA to regulate cell function in molecular biology research, at cellular, tissue and organism level
- Synthesis, modification and formulation of RNA for delivery
- Methods, mechanisms and measurements for RNA delivery 

Organisation

The course consists of lectures, self-study of literature, review / critique of scientific journal articles, two individual assignments, group reflections and a group assignment and presentation of this. Some lectures are given by invited international experts and the course also contains a study visit.

Literature

Scientific articles, review articles.

Examination including compulsory elements

Two individual assignments (written and oral critique of journal articles) and the group work (in silico project) are compulsory elements. The final grade is determined through the assignments, group work and written as well as oral examination.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to course rounds:
    • 2024-03-11: Examinator Examinator changed from Yvonne Nygård (nygardy) to Margaret Holme (holmema) by holmema
      [Course round 1]