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2019　Genetic Engineering

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Academic unit or major
Undergraduate major in Life Science and Technology
Instructor(s)
Nakamura Satoshi  Kobatake Eiry  Mie Masayasu  Yatsunami Rie 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Tue5-6(H101)  Fri5-6(H101)  
Group
-
Course number
LST.A336
Credits
2
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
1Q
Syllabus updated
2019/3/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

The topics covered in this course will include the following: (i) basics of genetic engineering such as enzymes used in genetic engineering (restriction enzymes, DNA ligases, DNA polymerases, etc.), cloning vectors (plasmid vectors, phage vectors, etc.), genotypes and gene transfer methodologies (transformation and transfection), methodologies of gene cloning (genome cloning, cDNA cloning, PCR, chemical synthesis of DNA, etc.), and analyses of gene (hybridization analyses, blotting analyses, etc.); (ii) applications of genetic engineering such as gene diagnosis and DNA test, gene therapy, metagenome, genetically-modified plants, clone animals, stem cells, and regenerative medicine; and (iii) ethical and social aspects of genetic engineering.
This course has three aims. The first is to teach students the basics of genetic engineering that are required during laboratory work. The second is to introduce the hot topics on applications of genetic engineering, and to realize the contribution of genetic engineering to human welfare. The third is to have students gain an understanding of the ethical and social outcomes of genetic engineering, and to cultivate the excellent discernment for promoting of the return of genetic engineering to society.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Have an understanding of basics of genetic engineering such as restriction enzyme, cloning vector, host, gene cloning, DNA sequencing.
2) Have an understanding of applications of genetic engineering such as gene diagnosis and DNA test, gene therapy, clone animal, stem cell.
3) Have an understanding of the spirit of the Cartagena Protocol domestic law, and think future directions of genetic engineering technologies from the viewpoints of ethical and social aspects.

Keywords

Restriction enzyme, Cloning vector, Host, Gene cloning, DNA sequencing, Gene diagnosis and DNA test, Gene therapy, Clone animal, Stem cell, Cartagena Protocol domestic law.

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Students are required to read the related section of text book before coming to class. Every class will be given by using PowerPoint slides, board writing, handouts, etc. Students are given exercise problems and reports during class as necessary (less than 20%).

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Enzymes used in genetic engineering (I): restriction enzymes and DNA ligases Explain the reaction and classification of restriction enzymes, and the reaction of DNA ligases.
Class 2 Enzymes used in genetic engineering (II): DNA polymerases, etc. Explain the reaction of DNA polymerases and other enzymes.
Class 3 Plasmid vectors (I): plasmid vectors, methodologies of transformation Explain the structure of plasmid vectors and the methodologies of transformation.
Class 4 Plasmid vectors (II): applications of plasmid vectors, preparation of plasmd Explain how to use plasmid vectors and how to prepare plasmid DNA.
Class 5 Phage vectors: phage vectors, methodologies of transfection, applications of phage vectors Explain the structure of phage vectors, the methodologies of transfection, and how to use phage vectors.
Class 6 Methodologies of gene cloning: genome cloning, cDNA cloning and cloning of PCR products Explain the methodologies of genome cloning, cDNA cloning and how to clone PCR products.
Class 7 Analyses of gene (I): hybridization analyses (hyperchromic effect, preparation of probes, and colony and plaque hybridizations) Explain the hybridization analyses.
Class 8 Analyses of gene (II): blotting analyses (blotting techniques, and Southern, Northern and Western analyses) Explain the blotting analyses.
Class 9 Analyses of gene (III): DNA sequencing (Maxam and Gilbert method, Sanger method, DNA sequencers, and next-generation DNA sequencers) Explain the methodologies of DNA sequencing.
Class 10 Ethical and social aspects of genetic engineering Midterm examination and commentary Understand the ethical and social aspects of genetic engineering.
Class 11 Gene expression and functional analyses of genes (I): optimization of gene expression, expression of fusion genes, and phage display Explain the optimization of gene expression, expression of fusion genes, and phage display.
Class 12 Gene expression and functional analyses of genes (II): analyses of transcription initiation point and DNA binding sequences, and RNAi Explain the analyses of transcription initiation point and DNA binding sequences, and RNAi.
Class 13 Applications of genetic engineering (I): gene diagnosis and DNA test, gene therapy, and metagenome Explain the gene diagnosis and DNA test, gene therapy, and metagenome.
Class 14 Applications of genetic engineering (II): genetically-modified plants, clone animals, stem cells and regenerative medicine Explain the genetically-modified plants, clone animals, stem cells and regenerative medicine.
Class 15 Applications of genetic engineering (III): genetically-modified plants and regenerative medicine Endterm examination Explain the genetically-modified plants and regenerative medicine.

Textbook(s)

Hiroshi Nojima, "Genetic Engineering, from Basics to Applications", Tokyo, Tokyo Kagakudojin, ISBN 978-4-8079-0804-2 (Japanese)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary.

Assessment criteria and methods

Students will be assessed on their understanding of basics and applications of genetic engineering, as well as ethical and social aspects of genetic engineering.
Students’ course scores are based on final exams. Exercise problems and reports are also considered as necessary.

Related courses

  • LST.A345 ： Microbiology
  • LST.A352 ： Cell Engineering
  • LST.A364 ： Enzyme Engineering
  • LST.A363 ： Environmental Bioengineering
  • LST.A354 ： Bioethics and Law

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Students must have successfully completed Biochemistry I (LST.A203), Biochemistry II (LST.A218), Molecular Biology I (LST.A208) and Molecular Biology II (LST.A213), or have equivalent knowledge.

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

Satoshi Nakamura: snakamur[at]bio.titech.ac.jp, Eiry Kobatake: kobatake.e.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp,
Rie Yatsunami: ryatsuna[at]bio.titech.ac.jp, Masayasu Mie: mie.m.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp

Office hours

Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.

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