Genes: Organisation and Function

This subject focuses on gene structure, function and regulation, which form the molecular basis of many important biological phenomena such as short-term organismal and cellular responses to rapid changes in environmental conditions and long-term controls of development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are frequently exploited in biotechnology, medical and agricultural applications. The topics covered in this subject include gene structure; genome organisation; regulation of gene expression by transcriptional, translational and post-translational control; and regulatory networks. These processes are presented in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, using examples in model organisms and humans. Understanding of these processes is considered in the context of significant historical genetic experiments and through the application of current molecular genetic and genomic techniques.

• 1Explain current concepts of gene structure and the molecular basis of genetic processes, including diverse molecular mechanisms for generating gene products and regulating their expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes;
• 2Discuss how experimental results and data from classical genetics, recombinant DNA and genomics experiments solve specific biological problems;
• 3Interpret information in the field of molecular genetics through the study of the current scientific literature;
• 4Synthesise basic concepts and knowledge to enable assessment of newly reported findings in the field of molecular genetics; and
• 5Explain how modern molecular techniques are applied in biotechnology, medical and agricultural contexts.