Micro-Credential in Molecular Biology
Programme Overview
The module provides you with a critical appreciation of the human genome, its regulation, functional significance of gene mutations and current approaches in molecular biology. The course is designed to explain the technology, theory and practical approaches of molecular genetics and biology methods to the diagnosis and understanding human life especially human diseases. The curriculum is a cause that trains the students to be creative, sophisticated research scientists in genetics and genomics. The course deals with The Mendelian View of the World, Nucleic acids, the replication of DNA, the mutability and repair of DNA, transcription, RNA splicing, translation, gene regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, molecular techniques and current applications in Molecular Biology such as transgenic animals, synthetic biology and gene therapy.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course participants should be able to:
- Describe the principles, mechanisms, techniques and current applications of Molecular Biology.
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out experiments in Molecular Biology.
- Present professionally on Molecular Biology.
- Prepare assignment using a variety of resource materials.
- Assess current developments in Molecular Biology within a team.
Course Progression
Credits from this Micro-Credential Programme are transferable to the following full academic programme:
- Master of Biotechnology
Assessments
- Coursework 60%
- Final Examination 40%
Study Plan for Micro-Credential in Molecular Biology
Week 1 | The Mendelian View of the World · Mendel’s discoveries · Chromosomal theory of heredity · Gene linkage and crossing over · Chromosome mapping · The origin of genetic variability through mutations · Early speculations about what genes are and how they act · Preliminary attempts to find a gene-protein relationship
Nucleic acids · DNA structure · DNA topology · RNA structure · The central dogma · Establishing the direction of protein synthesis | Lecture, practical
|
Week 2
| The replication of DNA · The chemistry of DNA synthesis · The mechanism of DNA polymerase · The replication fork · The specialization of DNA polymerases · DNA synthesis at the replication fork · Initiation of DNA replication · Binding and unwinding: Origin selection and activation by the initiator protein · Finishing replication
The mutability and repair of DNA · Replication errors and their repair · DNA damage · Repair of DNA damage – | Lecture, practical
|
Week 3
| Transcription · RNA polymerases and the transcription cycle · The transcription cycle in bacteria · Transcription in eukaryotes
RNA splicing · The chemistry of RNA splicing · The spliceosome machinery · Splicing pathways · Alternative splicing · Exon shuffling · RNA editing · mRNA transport
| Lecture, practical
|
Week 4
| Translation · Messenger RNA · Transfer RNA · Attachment of amino acids to tRNA · The ribosome · Initiation of translation · Translation elongation · Termination of translation · Translation-dependent regulation of mRNA and protein stability
| Lecture, practical
|
Week 5
| Gene regulation in Prokaryotes · Principles of transcriptional regulation · Regulation of transcription initiation: Examples from Bacteria · Examples of gene regulation at steps after transcription initiation · The case of phage λ: Layers of regulation
Gene regulation in Eukaryotes · Conserved mechanism of transcriptional regulation from yeast to mammals · Recruitment of protein complexes to genes by eukaryotic activators · Signal integration and combinational control · Signal transduction and the control of transcriptional regulators · Gene ‘silencing’ by modification of · histones and DNA · Eukaryotic gene regulation at steps after transcription initiation · RNAs in gene regulation
| Lecture, practical
|
Week 6
| Techniques of Molecular Biology Nucleic acids · DNA cloning · DNA hybridization · Amplification of DNA by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) · Shortgun sequencing a bacterial genome · Comparative genome analysis
Proteins · Column chromatography · Affinity chromatography · SDS-PAGE · Proteomics
| Lecture, practical
|
Week 7
| Current applications of Molecular Biology · Transgenic animals · Gene therapy · Synthetic biology | Lecture, practical
|
Week 8
| Final Examination | Conclusion Session Awarding of Certificates Presentation by VC or Representative of VC
|
Why Micro-Credential in Lincoln University College (LUC), Malaysia?
Micro-credentials in Lincoln University College (LUC), Malaysia offer a flexible, targeted, and accelerated pathway of acquiring industry-relevant skills that meet the demands of today’s evolving job market. Designed for students, professionals, and individuals seeking to upskill or reskill, credentials offer learning experiences and formally recognized certifications, with enhanced employability, and serving as stepping stones to higher qualifications. LUC’s micro-credential programs are supported by strong academic frameworks and offer clear progression pathways into full-fledged degree programs. After completing this Micro-credential course, professionals can use their updated skills to apply for promotions or switch to a different job role.