MICR40010 Recombinant DNA Technology

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module gives an overview of new and emerging recombinant DNA technologies being used in the biotechnology and biotherapeutics industry. Students will learn about the latest techniques in genome sequencing in the context of the development of methods from the inception of sequencing short segments to current high throughput systems. The application of modern techniques to the investigation of gene expression will be explored with examples of applications in the biomedical and biotechnology fields. The module also focuses on the latest developments in the use of gene therapy and display technologies to develop new and novel biotherapeutics. Case studies will be presented of the use of Recombinant DNA technology in the biotechnology industry including how these technologies can be used to develop therapeutics for human and animal disease.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the students will have gained an extensive and thorough understanding of some of the key recombinant DNA technologies used in the biotechnology industry today. They will be able to critically evaluate the application of these technologies to human and animal disease. A critical part of the students training will be the ability to adapt these techniques to overcome problems that can arise during drug development. Finally students will learn to be proficient in oral presentation of case studies as well as interactive problem solving.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Tutorial

4
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

109
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is a mixture of didactic lectures and interactive tutorials. Each week will contain a lecture where the technologies will be explained in detail and reading material given and a 2 hour tutorial where students will develop ways to use these technologies to address problems facing the biotechnology industry. There is a strong emphasis on group work and interaction during the tutorials. Students will also carry out an independent project on a specific biotechnology problem given to them at the start of the semester which they will present orally and write a report on. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Student undertaking this module should have a degree in life science with a basic understanding of molecular biology.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Final Exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50
Presentation: Oral Presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20
Project: Written assessment Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given using an array of strategies. Students will have the opportunity of getting feedback directly from the academics who graded their oral presentations. After receiving their grades for their written report and exam students can e-mail the module coordinator to get feedback on performance. Earlier in the module students have the opportunity to e-mail their approach to their biotech problem to the module coordinator to see if their approach is valid and get some limited feedback on their approach. There will also be a peer review of these project approaches in the final tutorial.

Name Role
Dr Raul Miranda Caso Luengo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jennifer Mitchell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Peadar Ó Gaora Lecturer / Co-Lecturer