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Microbial Genetics
Credit: 3 Units
Instructor: Anderson, Ruiz
Offered: Autumn, Spring
Prerequisite: M4100 or MolGen 4500
Lecture Topics:
- Structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins
- Genome structure, plasmids, and DNA replication
- Transcription and translation
- Transcriptional regulation of gene expression
- Post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms
- Evolution of bacteria: mutations and horizontal gene transfer
- Use of mutations in genetic analyses
- Discuss research articles that illustrate concepts of bacterial genetics described in class
Learning Outcomes:
Successful students will be able to...
- Explain how DNA and RNA function as information molecules
- Describe the processes of transcription and translation
- Explain how activators and repressors regulate transcription
- Describe the major types of regulatory mechanisms that bacteria use to control translation
- Explain how bacteria use riboswitches to regulate gene expression
- Explain how bacteria evolve by acquiring mutations in exchanging DNA
- Understand how mutations arise; distinguish between different types of mutations and the effects they can have
- Describe the mechanisms that bacteria use to exchange DNA
- Understand how researchers can use genetic analysis to address complex biological problems
