This course will survey the methods and applications of biotechnology, in the aspect related to animals, microbes, agriculture, human health and environment. The consequences of developments in this area will be examined, with emphasis on the aroused great public interest and the increasing demand for the informed debate. For BIOT students only.
Current status and future potential of Biotechnology, with emphasis on the fundamentals of plant molecular biology and biotechnology. Using examples of marketable products from food industry, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and agricultural fields. The role of basic research in the development and production biotechnology products will be described.
Practical and theoretical consideration of recombinant DNA techniques, including plasmid construction, PCR, mutagenesis, transformation, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis. The use of recombinant DNA for protein expression. Graded P or F.
Replication and roles of nucleic acids in cellular and viral systems; genome organization, vector-host systems, expression and regulation of genes; catalytic RNA, genetic code evolution, RNA modification and processing, and anti-sense systems.
Principles of biochemical techniques including spectrophotometry, column chromatography, electrophoresis, metabolite assay, enzyme assay, nucleic acid isolation and protein isolation.
Investigation of the properties of enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids by physicochemical methods and specific assays; purification and quantitation of biochemical compounds by various biochemical techniques.
Credit(s): 2
Corequisite(s):
(for BCB and BISC students) LANG 3014 AND LIFS 2820; (for others) LIFS 2820
Major classes of biochemical compounds; primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of macromolecules; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; biosynthesis of DNA and RNA; transfer RNA and protein synthesis.
Advancement in science has enabled scientists to modify biological systems for specific purposes. Many of these technologies have been used to improve our daily life and this area of study is commonly referred to as biotechnology. This course is designed to introduce some of the major subjects in this field including the history of biotechnology, ethics in genetic modification and use of animals in experimental studies, molecular foundation of biotechnology, animal biotechnology, plant and agricultural biotechnology, and health-care applications. You will learn how different aspects of biotechnology affect our daily life and have impact on the society.
Diversity of life; taxonomy and phylogeny; different kingdoms of living organisms; structure and function; evolution and the generation of biodiversity.
