Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Learning outcomes: After the course the students
1. can use methods used in molecular biology laboratories
2. can genetically modify pro- and eukaryotic expression hosts
3. know and can apply methods for screening and selection
4. will be able to plan and conduct basic experimental work by themselves.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 25.02.2019 - 30.04.2019
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Heli Viskari
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Heli Viskari
Contact information for the course (valid 01.02.2019-21.12.2112):
Throughout the course the students will primarily contact responsible teacher Heli Viskari, heli.viskari@aalto.fi.
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course builds on a sound knowledge of cellular components and pathways and aims at how these components and pathways can be genetically engineered in order to create new or improved versions. Targeted and random approaches for creating modifications at the DNA level and strategies for identification and selection of improved biocatalysts and cellular systems are covered. The course provides the theoretical background and practical skills.
Applies in this implementation:
Part I: Yeast as an expression system
You will analyze if and how Saccharomyces can be genetically modified to enable production of recombinant proteins and how productivity might be improved. Course work will be done according to a pre-designed daily schedule that you can find in MyCourses before the course starts. Not all the dates and hours marked in Oodi are going to be used. Working hours are also dependent on success in laboratory work and individual working pace.
Part II: BioBricks for assembling genetic constructs
You will plan and execute a cloning and protein production project by using BioBricks system to learn what standardization in molecular biology means and how standardized genetic parts can be utilized to assemble new functional units. In this part, you can more freely plan your working hours still using the pre-determined laboratory days.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Experimentation, planning, practical implementation, reporting and assignments
Applies in this implementation:
Preliminary grading scale: Max 100 points distributed as follows:
Activity and attendance in the laboratory, completion of experimental work (30)
-Make sure that you have time to read the instructions in the manual before each laboratory session
-Be prepared to discuss the work in the lectures
-For part II, use sufficient amount of time to plan the experiment beforehand
-Missed laboratory days, if any, need to be compensated with written essays. Extensive absence from the sessions can lead to point reductions.
Part I report and discussion of outcome (25)
Part II poster preparation and oral presentation (25)
Assignments (15)
Self and group assessment at the end of the course (5)
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
Total 135h = 5 cr
Laboratory work and other experimentation
Lectures
Reporting (written and/or oral)
Assignments
Applies in this implementation:
Please note that these hours are estimations, depending on each experimental success and working pace of each student.
Lectures (in lecture rooms and in-between laboratory work) 12 h
Laboratory work and other experimentation 70 h
Reporting (written and oral) 40 h
Assignments and self-study 13 h
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
To be announced later
Applies in this implementation:
The course manual will be given to students as the course starts.
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
CHEM-E3110, CHEM-E8120 and CHEM-E8115
Laboratory safety course CHEM-A1010 or CHEM-E0140 (or alternatively, laboratory safety as part of courses CHEM-A1000 or CHEM-E0100 taught before Academic Year 2017-2018) must have been passed before performing any laboratory works in this course.
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
4 Quality Education
FURTHER INFORMATION
Details on the schedule
Applies in this implementation:
Detailed preliminary schedule can be found in MyCourses before the course starts. First three weeks of the course are mostly pre-scheduled, on the latter three weeks the students can quite freely plan their own timetable. The exact date for the final poster presentation day (course part II) will be determined according to all groups´ progress in laboratory work.
- Teacher: Bao Jichen
- Teacher: Viskari Heli