Biochemistry - BSc (Hons)

The module deals with the molecular mechanisms of gene expression and its regulation in organisms ranging from viruses to man. This involves descriptions of how genetic information is stored in DNA and RNA, how that information is decoded by the cell and how this flow of information is controlled in response to changes in environment or developmental stage. Throughout, the mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be compared and contrasted and will touch on the latest developments in how we can analyse gene expression, and what these developments have revealed.

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The cell is the fundamental structural unit in living organisms. Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized structures that like prokaryotic cells, must perform several vital functions such as energy production, cell division and DNA replication and also must respond to extracellular environmental cues. In multicellular organisms, certain cells have developed modified structures, allowing them to fulfil highly specialised roles. This module reviews the experimental approaches that have been taken to investigate the biology of the cell and highlights the similarities and differences between cells of complex multicellular organisms and microbial cells. Initially the functions of the cytoskeleton and certain cellular compartments, particularly the nucleus, are considered. Later in the unit, the mechanisms by which newly synthesised proteins are secreted or shuttled to their appropriate cellular compartments are examined.

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This module will consider the anatomy and function of the immune system and immunopathology and then consider the diseases and microorganisms that affect the different organs and tissues of the human body. Indicative topics will include inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity to pathogens, immune defence mechanisms against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, antibody classes and functions, antigen processing and presentation, complement, the generation of antibody diversity, cell communication and immunopathology, including autoimmunity, hypersensitivity and transplant rejection. In the medical microbiology section of the module, indicative topics will include epidemiology, virology, parasitology, fungal infections, skin infections, GI tract infections, CNS infections, respiratory tract infections, UTI and STD infections.

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This module will consider the anatomy and function of normal tissues, organs and systems and then describe their major pathophysiological conditions. It will consider the aetiology of the condition, its biochemistry and its manifestation at the level of cells, tissues and the whole patient. It may also cover the diagnosis and treatment of the disease condition. Indicative topics will include the reproductive system; muscle; nervous system; and endocrine system.

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This module covers the general principles of metabolic disorders and focuses on pathways, enzyme mechanisms, and diseases associated with defects in metabolism.

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This module will cover the following areas:

* Principles of metabolic regulation: Allostery, cooperativity, phosphorylation, and hormonal control. Metabolic regulation in response to cellular energy status. Transcriptional regulation.

* Plant metabolism: Photosynthesis and carbon fixation.

* Microbial metabolism: Nitrogen metabolism, stress responses, metals, and secondary metabolites.

* Metabolism in biotechnology: Manipulating microbial metabolism for the production of useful compounds. Manipulating mammalian cell metabolism in biotechnology.

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One-on-one meetings and small group tutorials focused on academic progression and the development of key skills to support the core curriculum and future study or employment. Students meet with their Academic Advisor individually or in small groups at intervals during the academic year. Individual meetings review academic progress, support career planning etc. Themed tutorials develop transferable skills; indicative topics are essay and report writing, presentation skills, sourcing information, critical analysis etc. The tutorials are informal involving student activity and discussion. Year group events deliver general information e.g. on University resources, 4-year programmes, module selection etc.

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A. Communication Skills in Biosciences: Essay writing, oral presentations, laboratory reports, the scientific literature and literature reviews. Working in groups.

B. Techniques in Biomolecular Science: Electrophoresis, Immunoblotting, Protein Determination, Activity Assays, Purification.

C. Computing for Biologists: Bioinformatics, phylogenetic trees, database searches for protein/DNA sequences.

D. Mini-project – introduction to research skills: Students will work in groups of eight to undertake directed experimental work (Group Project) before extending the project further through self-directed experiments working as a pair (Mini Project).

E. Careers: The programme will be delivered by the Careers Advisory Service and will review the types of careers available for bioscience students. The sessions will incorporate personal skills, careers for bioscience graduates, records of achievement, curriculum vitae preparation, vacation work, postgraduate study, interview skills and action planning.

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Introduction and basic principles of drug action: key drug targets including major receptor subtypes, ion channels, transporters, and structure-function relationships

Systems pharmacology: the biological basis of diseases states affecting different physiological systems, therapeutic approaches to treating these diseases, and the cellular/molecular mode of action of drugs used. Indicative diseases may include hypertension, asthma, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, infertility, depression and anxiety.

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You study the diversity of animal life throughout evolution, including elements of functional anatomy and physiology such as circulation and gaseous exchange, the digestive system, the nervous system and reproduction.

Topics:

A. Comparative physiology - in this section the diversity of different physiological systems will be studied including circulation, gaseous exchange, feeding and digestion, excretion, nervous tissue and the senses, reproduction and immunology.

B. Form and Function - in this section a diverse range of taxonomic groups and their characteristics will be studied to understand the relationship between structure and function. How these characteristics equip the animal to survive and succeed in its particular environment will be explored.

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The module deals with the molecular mechanisms underlying the ecological, medical, scientific and commercial importance of microorganisms (including prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms). This involves descriptions of how microbial genetic information is stored in DNA, how that information is decoded by the cell and how this flow of information is controlled in response to changes in environment. The Module also discusses microbial interaction with humans and the environment. Throughout the module, the mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes will be compared and contrasted and will touch on the latest tool development in microbiology.

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This module will introduce students to the importance of genome-wide DNA sequence analysis in a range of different fields of study including forensic science, medical diagnosis and historical research. They will acquire a full grounding in the basic biology of how sequence data is acquired and analysed, and engage with up-to-date methods of DNA sequence analysis in the practical sessions. At the broad level, the module will be structured around the following 4 themes:

What is a genome? This addresses genome content and structure, including both functional and non-functional elements of the genome such as the simple "junk" DNA repeats used for forensic identification.

Understanding genomic variation. This addresses the molecular causes of genomic variation between individuals – i.e. what makes us all unique – and the technical methodologies used to detect genomic variation.

What are the implications of being able to read DNA? This covers the extent to which we can infer phenotype from genomic sequence – e.g. how much you can tell about a person once their genome has been sequenced. Specific examples may be drawn from forensic science, medical diagnosis and historical analysis.

What are the implications of being able to write or edit DNA? This addresses nascent and future technology for genome editing – what can it achieve, what are the risks, what are the ethical issues?

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The Year Abroad involves delivery of taught content and assessment of student learning at an academic institution abroad. To achieve the subject specific and generic learning outcomes students are expected to undertake a full-time load (as defined by the host institution) during the academic year of approved study at one of the designated partner universities with which UoK has a Memorandum of Understanding that allows the transfer of ECTS academic credit.

Material studied will be relevant to the student's degree programme. It will be determined jointly by the student, the School, and the host institution and is subject to availability within agreements made between UoK and the host institution.

Students may elect to take courses to address areas of weakness or areas of special interest, especially where there are recognised to be particular strengths or unique emphases in teaching practices or content at the host institution compared with those in the student's UoK modules.

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Early in the Autumn term,projects are assigned to students by the project co-ordinator (a member ofacademic staff), where possible in accordance with student choice. Studentsthen meet with their project supervisor to discuss the objectives of theproject and obtain guidance on background reading. During the Autumn termstudents write a brief formative literature review on the project topicproviding them with a good background before embarking on the project work. Atthe end of the formal project time, students are allowed time to complete thefinal project report, although they are encouraged to start writing as early aspossible during the Spring term. The supervisor provides feedback on contentand style of a draft of the report. In addition, students are expected todeliver their findings in presentation lasting 10 minutes with 5 minutes ofquestions.

Cells and subcellular compartments are separated from theexternal milieu by lipid membranes with protein molecules inserted into thelipid layer. The aim of this module is to develop understanding of both thelipid and protein components of membranes as dynamic structures whose functionsare integrated in cellular processes.

The module will cover the structuralanalysis of proteins and protein assemblies using techniques such asfluorescence, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry, atomic-force microscopy,cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography and NMR. It will also look at protein folding,molecular processing, de novo design, engineering and modelling. The modulewill also investigate the relationship between protein structure and functionand cover the principles and practice of enzymology, ligand binding, and enzymecatalysis.

The module begins byoverviewing the diverse mechanisms used by cells to communicate, consideringthe main modes of cell-cell communication, the major classes of signallingmolecules and the receptor types upon which they act. It then focuses onnuclear, G-protein coupled, and enzyme linked receptors covering in moleculardetail these receptors and their associated signal transduction pathways.

The module introduces the student to cell cycle andteaches how its precise regulation is essential for all life. The course willintroduce to the students the current understanding of cellular reproductionand how it emerged. The initial lectures will describe the importantbreakthroughs in cell cycle research in their historical and experimentalcontext. The course will go on to give the students a detailed understanding ofthe key events that occur and how they are regulated by mechanisms conservedfrom yeast to man.

The module aims to develop understanding and analyticalskills in virology, based around interactive seminars wherein students willanalyse, present, and discuss the relevant research literature. The studentswill gain experience in scientific design, literature analysis, scientificcommunication, and the analysis of experimental data.

The aim of this Advanced Immunology module is to reviewtopical aspects of advanced immunology with emphasis on the regulation of theimmune response, and the role of dysfunctional immune systems in the aetiologyof a variety of disease states. Indicative topics include antigen processingand presentation, transplant rejection, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, cellmigration homing and extravasation, cytokines, tumour immunology, mucosalimmunology and autophagy.

Bioinformatics Data sources & Sequence analysis:Databases and data availability. Using sequence data for analysis – sequencesearching methods, multiple sequence alignments, residue conservation, Proteindomains and families. Protein Bioinformatics Methods: Protein structure and function prediction.Prediction of binding sites/interfaces with small ligands and with otherproteins. Bioinformatics analyses using protein data.Genomics: An introduction to the analysis of genomic data, primarily focussingon the data available from genome sequencing – how it can be used to studygenetic variants and compare genomes (i.e. comparative and functionalgenomics).

This module will look at Cancer formation andprogression; underlying factors, cancer cell heterogeneity, uncontrolled celldivision, invasive growth/ metastasis formation; as well as the MolecularBiology of Cancer: (Proto-)Oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, cell cyclecontrol, cell death; and Cancer therapies.

The module deals with basic neuroanatomy and molecular and cellularneurobiology, such as transmission of signals within the nervous system andsensory perception. It explores more complex functions of the nervous system,e.g. behavioural and cognitive functions including learning, memory, emotionsand appetite control. Throughout the module both the normal nervous system anddisorders that arise as a consequence of abnormalities will be covered.

The module overviews the importance of studying ageing,the organisms and methods used to do so and considers how organisms agetogether with providing a detailed understanding of the processes and molecularmechanisms that govern ageing.

This module is designed to provide students across the university withaccess to knowledge, skill development and training in the field ofentrepreneurship with a special emphasis on developing a business plan in orderto exploit identified opportunities. Hence, the module will be of value forstudents who aspire to establishing their own business and/or introducinginnovation through new product, service, process, project or businessdevelopment in an established organisation. The module complements students'final year projects in Computing, Law, Biosciences, Electronics, Multimedia,and Drama etc.

Recent events have illustrated theimportance of ensuring that science is communicated effectively tonon-scientific audiences. This module considers best practice in sciencecommunication, making use of case studies that illustrate its importance indeveloping an informed and empowered public, while developing skills indifferent modes of communication that enhance future employability.