Undergraduate Course: Supercoiling in DNA and Chromatin (BICH10002)
Course Outline
School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
Summary | In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, DNA is constrained into topologically sealed loops or domains. Under these circumstances DNA can become overtwisted or undertwisted (supercoiled) as a consequence of the binding of structural proteins or the actions of particular enzymes or enzyme complexes. Supercoiling can have profound effects on DNA structure, protein-DNA interactions, primary functions such as transcription and the regulation of the structural organisation of the genome during the cell cycle through the control of chromatin condensation. In this topic we shall consider how to describe the supercoiled state, the techniques available for measuring levels of supercoiling, the mechanisms by which the condition is regulated and the effects it has upon biological functions, particularly at the chromatin level in higher eukaryotes. |
Course description |
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
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Other requirements | None |
Additional Costs | Notepads. |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
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Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Jim Allan
Tel: (0131 6)50 5416
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Alistair Bryden
Tel: (0131 6)50 8637
Email: |
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