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School of Biomedical, Biomolecular & Chemical Sciences
Unit Outline
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
GENE3330
Semester: 1
Campus: Crawley
Unit Coordinator: A/Prof Lawrie Abraham
This outline is the currently available version for this unit. Detailed Information on unit
content and assessment may undergo modification before the time of delivery of the
unit. For the most up to date information students must consult material supplied to
enrolled students by the unit co-ordinator.
All material reproduced herein has been copied in accordance with and pursuant to a statutory licence administered
by Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), granted to the University of Western Australia pursuant to Part VB of the
Copyright Act 1968 (Cth).
Copying of this material by students, except for fair dealing purposes under the Copyright Act, is prohibited. For the
purposes of this fair dealing exception, students should be aware that the rule allowing copying, for fair dealing
purposes, of 10% of the work, or one chapter/article, applies to the original work from which the excerpt in this course
material was taken, and not to the course material itself
© The University of Western Australia 2001
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Introduction
This advanced-level unit follows on from GENE2230 Molecular Genetics (formerly 920.230
Molecular Genetics 230) and covers in detail the study of genetic systems and the effects of
genetic variation. It also introduces students to the analysis of DNA and genetic changes at
the practical level.
Topics include the study of genetic variation in plants, animals and micro-organisms; mapping
of genetic traits; the plant, animal and human genome projects; model systems to study
developmental processes (Drosophila, Zebrafish and Arabidopsis); construction of transgenic
organisms to analyse structure and function; informatics and analysis of genome information;
and modelling of proteins based on sequence information. Practical sessions in the unit train
students to use state-of-the-art molecular genetic technology. Their computer-based
bioinformatics skills are also developed. This advanced-level unit follows on from GENE2230
Molecular Genetics (formerly 920.230 Molecular Genetics 230) and covers in detail the study
of genetic systems and the effects of genetic variation. It also introduces students to the
analysis of DNA and genetic changes at the practical level.
Topics include the study of genetic variation in plants, animals and micro-organisms; mapping
of genetic traits; the plant, animal and human genome projects; model systems to study
developmental processes (Drosophila, Zebrafish and Arabidopsis); construction of transgenic
organisms to analyse structure and function; informatics and analysis of genome information;
and modelling of proteins based on sequence information. Practical sessions in the unit train
students to use state-of-the-art molecular genetic technology. Their computer-based
bioinformatics skills are also developed.
Broad Learning Outcomes
Outcomes
Students will be able to recall and integrate key
knowledge and concepts about:

Genetic and physical mapping

Genome analysis

Genomic technologies

New ways to analyse genes and their products

Impact of genomics on medicine & agriculture
Students will acquire skills in:

The use of molecular genetic technologies

Planning experiments

Data recording and analysis

Use of instruments for genome and proteome analysis

Bioinformatic analysis
Assessment Activity
Tutorials
Theory exam
Laboratory practicals
Laboratory note book
Self-paced interactive
learning
Students will clearly communicate in writing the results of
laboratory work and reading using correct scientific style
Lab assignment
Students will use the internet to explore genetic and
genomic resources
Lab assignment
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Advisable Prior Study
Prerequisites: 920.230 Molecular Genetics 230 (renamed GENE2230 Molecular Genetics)
Advisable prior study: 139.225 Molecular Biology 225 (renamed SCIE2225 Molecular Biology)
or 920.201 Biochemistry of the Cell 201 (renamed BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell) and
920.202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function 202 (renamed BIOC2202 Biochemical
Regulation of Cell Function) (formerly 920.210 Biochemistry 210)
Technical Requirements
Laboratory Notebook
You must record everything during laboratory classes in a dedicated Laboratory Notebook.
Graph paper will be provided.
Calculator
You should have a pocket calculator available for use in the laboratory; it should have the
means for determining the log of a number.
Software Requirements
None
Contact Details
Unit web site (may include Web CT URL): http://Webct.uwa.edu.au/
Name of Unit coordinator: A/Prof Lawrence Abraham
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 6488 3041
Fax: 6488 1148
Consultation hours: By appointment
Unit Structure Summary
Lectures
Three 1 hour lectures per week
Practical and/or Laboratory Sessions
One 8 hour laboratory session per week throughout the semester. Attendance is compulsory.
Tutorials
One per week as required.
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Topics
For details of times and venues of all teaching sessions please consult the university
timetable at http://www.timetable.uwa.edu.au/
LECTURE TOPICS
1
Welcome & Introduction
2
Genetic & Physical Mapping
3
Chromosome walking
4
Genome sequencing
5
High-throughput Genetics
6
New Sequence technologies
7
Comparative Genomics 1
8
Comparative Genomics 2
9
Structure of Genomes 1
10
Structure of Genomes 2
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Arabidopsis – Model plant, Genome resources
12
Genetic screens in Arabidopsis
13
Whole genome expression Analysis
14
Transcriptome analysis (microarrays)
15
Bio-informatic analysis and Transcriptomics
16
Transcriptomic experiments I
17
Transcriptomic experiments II
18
Yeast as a genetic tool
19
Ethics I
20
Ethics II
21
RNA interference – transcriptional
22
RNA interference – post-transcriptional
23
Proteomics, comparative protein expression
24
Proteomics, the post-genomics revolution
25
Genomics & Medicine
26
Cancer genetics, Human Somatic Diseases
27
Molecular approaches to treatment, gene therapies
28
"Knockout" Mouse, creating mutations by recombination
29
Use of the transgenic mouse to study function
30
Allelic Association Studies to map Disease loci
31
Allelic Association Studies– Complement Receptor 2
32
Epigenetics: DNA methylation
33
Epigenetics and gene regulation
34
Molecular genetics of floral transition
35
Interaction of development & environment during seedling development
36
The Post-Genomics Era –Review of the Unit
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References, Resources and Reading Materials
Recommended Reading
There are no Text books that are suitable because Molecular Genetics & Genomics is a
relatively new and fast-moving field. However a number of texts provide good coverage for
parts of the course.
Human Molecular Genetics, by T. Strachan & AP Read, 1996, BIOS Scientific publishers.
(This book in on reserve in the Biological Sciences Library)
Principles of Genome Analysis, by SB Primrose, 1995, Blackwell Science
Genomes, by TA Brown, 1999, John Wiley & Sons.
In addition, your Textbook An Introduction to Genetic Analysis, AJF Griffiths et al will be
useful and covers some of the material covered in the Lectures.
Additional Reading
Proteome Research: New Frontiers in Functional Genomics
Wilkins MR etc
Springer
ICRF Handbook of Genome Analysis, Ed Spurr, NK , Young, BD and Bryant, SP
Blackwell Science
You will be given references from various Journals etc that you will need to obtain from the
Library. A useful general Genetics Journal is Trends in Genetics available in the Biological
Sciences Library which provides short reviews and gossip about the genetics field. Very
interesting reading .
Unit Web Site
All enrolled students have access to the unit WebCT site (http://webct.uwa.edu.au). This site
will be used for notices, posting of supplementary course materials, email and discussion. It is
strongly recommended that you log onto this site on a daily basis. The website should be
used for all remote communication to the unit co-ordinator. Students are encouraged to pose
questions about course content on the discussion forum of the site so that all class members
can view and contribute to the discussion.
Assessment Details
Assessed Work
% Mark
Timing
4 Practical write-ups
30%
One week following completion of the
laboratory
Final exam- 3hr exam. Mix of short
answer questions and essay
questions
70%
End of semester exam period
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Plagiarism
The University of Western Australia takes very seriously the matter of academic misconduct
by students and has policies in place that define misconduct (including plagiarism) and the
penalties that apply. The consequences for misconduct can be severe, including exclusion
from the university.
All students are expected to make themselves aware of the definitions and policies relating to
academic misconduct, found at the websites below, and with any additional requirements or
stipulations that may be provided by individual unit co-ordinators.
http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/__data/page/20839/StuMiscondInfo.rtf
http://www.teachingandlearning.uwa.edu.au/tl/academic_conduct
When you obtain authority to log in to the unit website, you will se an online module on
academic conduct which you are strongly advised to complete in your own time.
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