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MICR40080

Academic Year 2024/2025

Microbial Natural Product Biosynthesis (MICR40080)

Subject:
Microbiology
College:
Science
School:
Biomolecular & Biomed Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Patrick Caffrey
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Natural products are obtained from plants, micro-organisms and other life forms. Many of these compounds are biologically active and have important medical uses. Well-known examples include antibiotics (e. g. penicillins, vancomycin, erythromycin and tetracyclines), anticancer drugs (e. g. doxorubicin, taxol and epothilone) and immunosuppressants (e. g. cyclosporine and rapamycin). This course covers biosynthesis of natural products in micro-organisms. The main focus is on polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides, with some discussion of alkaloids and terpenes. The enzymes that catalyse assembly of polyketide and peptide chains are described in detail. Late modifications of core structures such as glycosylation and halogenation are also explained. The course then covers genetic manipulation of producer micro-organisms to engineer the biosynthesis of new compounds. This is important for drug discovery and for addressing the problem of drug resistance in infectious disease and cancer.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: (1) explain the reactions of fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis; (2) describe the major classes of polyketide synthase (type I modular, type I iterative, type II and type III) and give examples of their product compounds; (3) give examples of how manipulation of polyketide synthase genes can lead to biosynthesis of new structures; (4) explain the reactions catalysed by non-ribosomal peptide synthetases; (5) explain glycosylation and halogenation as late modifications of polyketide and peptide core structures; (6) explain how knowledge of natural product biosynthesis can be exploited in biotechnology.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

10
Specified Learning Activities

32
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; enquiry & problem-based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Natural Product Synthesis (INDM40080)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students are provided with three scientific papers on a main topic from the module. They are required to answer questions on these articles. Week 5 Graded No
10
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students are provided with three scientific papers on a main topic from the module. They are required to answer questions on these articles. Week 6 Graded No
10
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students are provided with three scientific papers on a main topic from the module. They are required to answer questions on these articles. Week 7 Graded No
10
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students are provided with three scientific papers on a main topic from the module. They are required to answer questions on these articles. Week 8 Graded No
10
 Yes
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students are provided with three scientific papers on a main topic from the module. They are required to answer questions on these articles. Week 9 Graded No
10
 Yes
Exam (In-person): Students are required to compose essay-type answers to 2 out of 4 questions on the lecture content of the module. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Professor Cormac Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Mark Hogan Tutor
Yuhao Song Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 24, 25, 26, 29 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
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