| CODE | MDS1026 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Molecular Biology and Genetics | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This Study-unit discusses the molecular nature and metabolism of genetic material, its synthesis and repair. It describes how the structure, function, development and reproduction of the organism depend on the regulated expression of genes and the properties of the proteins produced. Molecular Biology and Genetics encompasses the principles of human variation and heredity and illustrates how genes are the primarily determinants of life processes, responsible for both structure and function. This Study-unit describes the principles of heredity, identification of disease genes, the distribution and behaviour of genes in populations. The genetic basis and ethical issues of inherited and acquired disorders are also discussed. The accompanying tutorials are student-centred and conducive to independent learning as a prelude to continuing life-long education. These sessions provide a platform for discussion and the active participation of the students. Study-Unit Aims: - Scientific foundation necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms that cause disease. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Outline the transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein 2. Illustrate how structure of DNA and RNA allows these genetic molecules to perform their specific functions. 3. Extrapolate the relationship between DNA mutation, protein function and disease 4. Describe the mechanisms of genetic inheritance 5. Discuss the molecular mechanisms that prevent and cause the development of cancer. 6. Describe how genes interact with environmental factors to cause disease. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Identify genetic and environmental factors that cause disease 2. Detect polymorphisms 3. Interpret genetic linkages 4. Construct a medical pedigree 5. Apply basic science to the understanding of medical molecular diagnosis Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: sources: o Website of Prof. Gary Hunter & Prof. Therese Hunter, University of Malta: http://staff.um.edu.mt/ghun1/ o The Medical Biochemistry Page: https://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/ o Biochemistry Free & Easy 鈥� Oregon State University: https://biochem.oregonstate.edu/content/biochemistry-free-and-easy o Wolters Kluwer Health 鈥� The Point: https://thepoint.lww.com/gateway Genetics TURNPENNY P, ELLARD S, CLEAVER R. Emery's Elements of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Elsevier, 2021, 16th edition. [ISBN: 9780702079665] SUDBERY P. Human Molecular Genetics. Pearson, 2010, 3rd edition. [ISBN-13: 鈥� 9780132051576]6 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jean Calleja Agius Godfrey Grech Gary J. Hunter Therese Hunter (Co-ord.) Christian Scerri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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