Genetic engineering

Presentation

- mutations

- transformation

- conjugaison

- transduction

- transposons

Basic tools (enzymes, plasmids, oligonucleotides..)

-       Gene cloning

-       Expression of recombinant proteins

-       Analysis of a gene and its functions (sequencing, gene expression analysis, mutagenesis, protein-protein interactions, …)

Organisation:

At the beginning of the course, the student will receive a document containing the most important points of the course. Along the course, about two hours will be used to analyse scientific papers in the domain and to solve a general scientific question by proposing adapted molecular biology methods. Simple molecular biology experiments will be performed to allow the student to apply the different concepts seen during the course: microbiology, transduction, genetic engineering tools, use of antibiotics, microscopy, During labwork sessions the student will also manipulate a Molecular biology software. A Group work made on a scientific paper will be presented to the class.

Main difficulties for students:

      * To integrate different techniques in a general scientific   question

       *     To find the methods which will allow to solve a problem

Objectives

At the end of this module, the student will have understood and be able to explain (main concepts):

-       Basics of bacterial genetics.

-       Basic tools used in genetic engineering (restriction enzymes, plasmids…)

-       Basic methods like cloning, PCR, sequencing, direct mutagenesis, microarrays, libraries construction, gene expression analysis…

The student will be able to:

-       to describe  and summarize basic methods

-       to insert these methods in a larger scientific and experimental context

-       analyse and criticize a scientific paper in this domain

-       perform a simple experiment of molecular biology

use an “in silico cloning” software

Needed prerequisite

Microbiology / Basic molecular biology

Form of assessment

The evaluation of outcome prior learning is made as a continuous training during the semester. According ot the teaching, the assessment will be different: as a written exam, an oral exam, a record, a written report, peers review...