Undergraduate Course: DNA Repair and Genome Instability (MOGE10004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Molecular Genetics (Biological Sciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This elective will cover major causes of DNA damage, types of DNA damages, as well as the mechanisms providing DNA repair and genomic stability in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The effects of genome destablizing DNA sequences, such as trinucleotide repeats, will also be included in the course. In addition, we will discuss the relevance of genomic instability for human disease. The DNA in all organisms is constantly damaged by exogenous and endogenous sources such as chemicals, radiation, and natural cell metabolic processes. Cells have evolved a multitude of mechanisms to recognise and repair different kinds of DNA damage (stalled replication forks, DNA double-strand breaks, DNA mismatches, abasic sites, damaged nucleotides, etc) to preserve genome stability. These mechanisms are co-ordinated and are an integral part of the global cellular network ensuring cell fitness and survival. In higher eukaryotes, such as humans, defective biological responses to DNA damage such as an inability to repair DNA damage or to co-ordinate repair with cell cycle progression can result in a number of diseases. These include cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, developmental syndromes, and many more. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| (1) Students will learn to recognise and to explain the role of DNA repair and genome integrity for cell survival and its importance for human health. (2) They will be able to explain the molecular mechanisms of DNA damage and repair in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and how the repair pathways are coordinated with each other and with cell cycle progression. (3) Students will be able to critically assess research papers relevant to the field of DNA repair and genome instability. (4) Students will be able to understand the design of experiments to answer specific questions concerning DNA repair. (5) Through oral paper presentation and an in-course test students will learn to summarise and discuss research data. |
Assessment Information
| Through presentation and discussion of research papers (30%) and an open book test (70%) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MOGE-DNARep |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Kevin Hardwick
Tel: (0131 6)50 7083
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Donna Wright
Tel: (0131 6)51 7051
Email: |
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