Module manager: Alex Breeze
Email: a.l.breeze@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Undergraduate degree in biological sciences or related discipline, or at least level 3 in an integrated masters degree (e.g. MNatSci, MBiol)
BIOL5372M - Advanced Biomolecular Technologies
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Modern research in the biomolecular sciences is dependent on and underpinned by the use of a number of key technologies, methodologies, and analytical / data science approaches, without which important industries such as the biopharmaceutical and agri-food industries could not operate. This module will provide a grounding in some of the most important of these current techniques, affording an overview of how they can be used in modern bioscience research.
Major objective:
To provide a grounding in some of the most important biomolecular technologies, affording an overview of how they can be used in modern bioscience research.
The module objectives will be achieved through a combination of:
• Lectures – describing the physical basis and uses of each technique
• Demonstrations – tours of some of the FBS research facilities
• Tutorials / data analysis sessions – where students can analyse and learn how to use data from selected techniques
After completing the module students will be able to:
1. Identify the most suitable technique(s) to address a biological research question
2. Explain briefly how each technique works and the major type of information it provides
3. Describe the type of instrumentation used in each technique
4. Evaluate the limitations and caveats associated with use of a technique
5. Estimate the approximate duration and resource level needed to undertake a project using a given technique (hours / days / weeks)
6. For selected techniques, understand how to process data and extract useful biological understanding and insight
Students will acquire skills in judging which technique(s) should be used to address particular research questions in the biomolecular sciences. Whilst not affording detailed, specialist knowledge of any one technique, students will be equipped to make informed choices between a number of alternative methods that may help them to achieve a particular research objective.
Students on the module will receive fundamental training in the theory behind and applications of the most commonly used techniques, with opportunities to gain practice with data analysis in some of them. Techniques covered will include:
• Bioimaging & flow cytometry
• Protein overexpression – prokaryotic and eukaryotic
• DNA technologies – sequencing, mutagenesis, gene editing/CRISPR
• Biophysical interactions
• Antibody technologies
• Chromatography
• EM – cryoEM/ET, correlative
• X-ray crystallography
• NMR spectroscopy
• MS - structural & proteomics
• Transgenics (plants & animals)
• Statistics
• Bioinformatics, big data & AI
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 15 | 1 | 15 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Tutorial | 4 | 1.5 | 6 |
| Private study hours | 125 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
The first assessment will be a formative data analysis exercise on Bioimaging. Students will receive feedback on their submissions.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Data analysis – Bioimaging (formative) | 0 |
| Assignment | Data analysis – DNA Analysis | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 7/31/2024
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