Unit information: Cellular Information in 2015/16

Unit name	Cellular Information
Unit code	BIOC30602
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Kelly Moule
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	BIOC20202 and BIOC20201
Co-requisites	Core Skills BIOC30603 Advanced Cell Biology BIOC30601 The Dynamic Proteome BIOC30604 Advanced Options in Biochemistry BIOC30600
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students study advanced topics in cellular information networks and genomic information through a series of 30 lectures. These lectures are split into two elements. The first element, Genomic Information, covers molecular biology and genomics. The second element, Information Networks, looks at how cells process information from a range of sources. The unit is be assessed by a single 3 hour examination paper.

The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in cellular information systems including:

Genomic Information

• Advanced material on DNA structure and function
• DNA repair mechanisms to maintain information integrity
• Transcriptional processing of genomic information
• Functional genomics

Information Networks

• Conveying information through the covalent modification of proteins
• Cellular signalling networks
• Insulin secretion and signalling the failure of signalling processes in diabetes
• Metabolic networks

Intended Learning Outcomes

• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced cellular information topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the field.
• The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
• An understanding of the importance of the cellular information to cell function and homeostasis.

Teaching Information

Lectures.

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through one 3 hour examination in May/June. Students will be given a choice of essay titles and will be expected to answer 3 questions.

Reading and References

Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature.