RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGIES
Course Code: BBT2303
Course Credit: 4 CU
Brief course description:
This course will cover isolation and purification of nucleic acids, mechanisms of gene
cloning, practical aspects of recombinant DNA technology, model organisms in
recombinant DNA technology, recombinant gene expression systems.
Specific learning outcomes:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
1. isolate and purify nucleic acids for routine laboratory procedures,
2. explain the underlying mechanisms of gene cloning,
3. discuss the practical aspects of applying recombinant DNA technology,
4. explain the significance of model organisms in recombinant DNA technology,
5. describe recombinant gene expression systems.
Detailed course description:
Principles of genetic manipulation (3 hours); Isolation of total genomic DNA (3 hours);
Meaning of recombinant DNA technology (2 hours); Restriction and ligation of DNA
molecules (3 hours); Amplifying recombinant DNA (3 hours); Molecular cloning (2
hours); Strategies of bacterial transformation (3 hours); Selective markers (2 hours):
Shortgun cloning and cDNA libraries (2 hours); Cell competency (1 hour); Screening
libraries (2 hours); Electrophoresis and hybridization techniques (2 hours); Quantitative
and real-time PCR techniques (3 hours); Different DNA sequencing strategies (3 hours);
Model organisms (1 hour); Reverse and forward genetics (2 hours); Gene expression
vector systems (1 hour); Expressing eukaryotic genes in bacteria (2 hours); In vitro
mutagenesis (1 hour); Reporter gene technology (3 hours).
Practicals (30 hours)
Mode of delivery:
The course will consist of lectures, practicals and tutorials
Assessment method:
This will be done through examinations (60%) and coursework (practicals, tests and
assignments) (40%)
READING LIST
1. BROWN, T.A. (2001). Gene cloning and DNA Analysis. 4th Edition. Blackwell Publishers
2. LEA, P.J.(1997). Plant Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. John Wiley and Sons.
Chichester. New York. Brisbane. Toronto. Singapore