Download CCN2284 Molecular Biology

July 2015
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Community College
Subject Description Form
Subject Code
CCN2284
Subject Title
Molecular Biology
Level
2
Credit Value
3
Medium of
Instruction
English
Pre-requisite /
Co-requisite/
Exclusion
Pre-requisite
Objectives
This subject enables students to acquire a basic understanding of the
genetic inheritance and biological events in molecular level. Also,
students will appreciate the advances in current molecular biological
technology. Furthermore, molecular processes in oncogenesis will
be discussed. Hence, students are expected to be able to master the
knowledge in areas related to molecular biology for further study.
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
CCN1109 General Biology or CCN2233 Human Biology I
(a) identify the basic architecture and regulation of genetic materials
in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
(b) distinguish the Mendelian genetics and the non Mendelian
inheritances.
(c) differentiate the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic
gene. expression mechanisms.
(d) comprehend the significance of and surveillance in gene
replication.
(e) describe the processes involved from gene transcription to
protein synthesis.
(f) explain the basic molecular principles in oncogenesis.
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus
Basic genetic material, structure and function
Structure of DNA, RNA (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA), higher order of
DNA organization in chromosome (chromatin, nucleosome), locus,
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July 2015
alleles, triplet genetic code, anti-codon, telomere, satellite DNA and
minisatellites, repetitive and non-repetitive sequences, essential
genes, gene cluster, transposons, and nucleus, viral and bacterial
chromosomes.
Genetic inheritance
Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritances;
Chromosomal inheritance and chromosomal abnormalities.
DNA replication
DNA polymerases, exonuclease, endonuclease, semi-conservative
and semi-discontinuous DNA replication, Okazaki fragments,
centrosome, cytokinesis.
Transcription
One gene-one enzyme hypothesis, cis-acting and trans-acting
elements, priming, start codon, stop codons.
Regulation of prokaryotic gene expression
Viral and bacterial gene transcription;
Lytic and lysogenic pathways;
Bacterial RNA modification;
Operon, regulatory RNA (attenuation and termination).
Regulation of eukaryotic gene expression
RNA splicing (introns, exons; one gene codes for a few gene
products), post-transcriptional modifications of RNA.
Protein translation and post-translational modifications
Codon, anticodon, initiation, elongation and termination processes in
ribosome, post-translational modification in ER and golgi apparatus,
vascular trafficking and mRNA degradation, phosphorylation,
dephosphorylation, mono- and poly-ubiquitination, etc;
Transposable elements: jumping genes and retrotransposons.
DNA damage and repair mechanism
Important kinases, MRN complex, NHEJ (non-homologous end
joining) and homologous recombination.
Advances in molecular techniques
PCR, molecular cloning, gene silencing (siRNA, shRNA), knockout
mice, gene editing, enforced gene overexpression, fluorescent
protein labeling (GFP), microarrays, whole genome sequencing,
stem cells (ESC and iPS cells), bacterial Tet-On, Tet-Off system.
Molecular Oncogenesis
Gene mutations, dysregulations of gene expression, epigenetic
factors, dysregulation of DNA repairs.
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July 2015
Teaching/Learning
Methodology
The basic knowledge of molecular biology will be presented in
lectures. In addition, animations and videos will be demonstrated to
aid students in learning complicated biological processes. In
tutorials, students will be given updated scientific journals, and will
be asked to give a summary of the selected journal via an oral
presentation, expecting to enhance students’ analytical skills.
Further, students are required to write an assignment related to the
field of molecular biology. Also, exercises and questions will be
given to enrich the learning outcomes of students.
Assessment
Methods in
Alignment with
Intended Learning
Outcomes
A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess
students’ achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.
Specific assessment
methods/tasks
%
Intended subject
weighting learning outcomes to be
assessed
a
b
c


d
e
f
Continuous Assessment*
60
 Test
20

 Individual assignment
15


 Group assignment
20


 Participation
5






Final Examination
40






Total
100
*Continuous assessment items and/or weighting may be adjusted by the
subject team subject to the approval of the College Programme
Committee.
To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or
above in both the Continuous Assessment and Final Examination.
Student Study
Effort Expected
Class contact
Hours

Lecture
26

Tutorial
13
Other student study effort

Self-study
52
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July 2015

Continuous Assessment
39
Total student study effort
Reading List and
References
130
Recommended Textbook
Robert F. Weaver (2012). Molecular Biology. (5th ed.), McGraw
Hill.
References
Bruce Alberts, et al (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell.
(4th ed.), Garland Science.
Robert A. Weinberg (2013).
(2nd ed.), Garland Science.
The
Biology
of
Cancer.
Errol C. Friedberg, et al (2005). DNA Repair and Mutagenesis.
(2nd ed.), ASM Press.
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