Page 211 - handbook 20152016

Faculty of Science Handbook, Session 2015/2016

SIL 3011 APPLICATIONS OF RECOMBINANT DNA together with the mechanisms of transmission and control,
TECHNOLOGY especially related to medicine and agriculture. The use of
viruses and viral genes in biotechnology ranging from
This is an advanced course covering applications of research and therapeutic use to applications in agriculture
recombinant DNA technology to medicine, agriculture, and industry will also be discussed.
industry and research. Health care: diagnostics for
infectious and genetic disease, gene therapy, vaccine Assessment Methods:
development, RNAi. Agriculture: Transgenic plant Continuous Assessment: 40%
technology, transgenic mitigation. Forensic: genetic Final Examination: 60%
means of identification. Industrial and Pharmceutical:
various eukaryotic production systems (yeast, insect, Medium of Instruction:
plant, mammalian), prokaryotic production (E.coli). English
Research: gene discovery and isolation, mutagenesis,
proof of gene function, development of new technologies Soft Skills
(across many fields). CS4, CT3, TS4, LL3

Assessment Methods: Main References:
Continuous Assessment: 40% 1. Structure and Physics of Viruses: An Integrated
Final Examination: 60% Textbook Series: Subcellular Biochemistry, Vol. 68
Mateu, Mauricio G. (Ed.) 2013, Springer. ISBN 978-
Medium of Instruction: 94-007-6552-8 2.
English 2. Understanding Viruses (Second Edition)Teri Shors
(Ed), 2013. Jones and Bartlett. ISBN-13:
Soft Skills 9781449648923
CS3, CT3, TS3, LL2 3. Review papers and journal articles will be supplied
via course webpage
Main References:
1. Molecular Biotechnology, principles and applications
of recombinant DNA 4th edition. Glick BR & JJ SIL 3014 ADVANCED IMMUNOGENETICS
Pasternak 2009 (ASM Press)
2. Other recommended materials The course gives an understanding of the importance of
the failure and deficiency of the immune system in
providing protection. The introduction will focus on
SIL 3012 CANCER AND TUMORIGENESIS various major components of the immune system and in
situations when it fails in its function as a result in
The course gives an understanding on cancer and why it deficiency of its various components, and the different
is seen as a much feared disease worldwide. The initial resulting manifestation in the host. These resulting
development and treatment of cancer will be discussed. A immune failure diseases will be discussed: 1. The
current review will be given from up-to-date journal importance of a balance between tolerance and
papers. This course is most relevant to a genetics student, autoimmunity; 2. In certain situation, when cells do not
as various evidence points to cancer as having a genetic respond in the correct manner to growth, resulting in
risk factor that can transform cells from a benign to a tumour or cancer. 3. The importance and understanding of
cancerous state. transplant immunology as a cure for certain diseases with
organ or cell function failures. 4. The undesired effects
Assessment Methods: resulting from reactions of effector molecules in
Continuous Assessment: 40% hypersensitivity or allergy. 5. The inability of the immune
Final Examination: 60% system to protect the host from various congenital and
Medium of Instruction: acquired (such as AIDS) immunodeficiency diseases. 6.
English The current therapeutic status and protection with a focus
on vaccines for the undesired immune responses.
Soft Skills
CS3, CT3, TS2, LL2 Assessment Methods:
Continuous Assessment: 40%
Main References: Final Examination: 60%
1. Immunology 5th edition Richard A. Goldsby, Thomas
J. Kindt, Barbara A. Osborne and Janis Kuby Medium of Instruction:
2. Cellular and Molecular Immunology 7th edition Abul English
K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman & Shiv Pillai
3. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Soft Skills
Disease 4th edition Charles A. Janeway, Paul CS3 ,CT3, TS3, LL2
Travers, Mark Walport and J Donald Capra
4. The Biology of Cancer. Robert A.Weinberg (2006). Main References:
Garland Science Textbooks 1. Immunology 5th edition Richard A. Goldsby, Thomas
5. Journals J. Kindt, Barbara A. Osborne and Janis Kuby
2. Cellular and Molecular Immunology 7th edition Abul
K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman & Shiv Pillai
SIL 3013 GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF 3. Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and
VIRUSES Disease 4th edition, Charles A. Janeway, Paul
Travers, Mark Walport and J Donald Capra
This course will involve theoretical and practical skills
related to the genetics and the biotechnological
application of viruses. Topics will include the biology and SIL 3015 CURRENT TOPICS IN GENETICS AND
genetics of plant, animal and medically important viruses MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
and their importance in human lives and activities. Virus
life cycles and diversity will be compared and discussed This course will expose the students to methods in writing,

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