To enable the student to:
Gene as unit of mutation and recombination. Molecular nature of mutations.
Physical and chemical mutagens.
Spontaneous mutations- random and non-adaptive mutation, mutation rates, origin.
Genetic analysis of mutants.
Gene transfer mechanisms-
Transformation- molecular mechanism, mapping and other uses of transformation, Transduction- generalized transduction, co transduction and linkage, mapping by co transduction, specialized transduction, specialized transducing phage as a cloning
vehicle.
Bacterial conjugation- insertion of F in E. coli, Hfr transfer, recombination in recipient cells. Chromosome transfer in other bacteria.
Plasmids- types and properties, F-factors description. Colicins and col factors. Plasmids as vectors for genetic cloning. Plasmid replication.
Transposons- types, genetic phenomena mediated by transposons in bacteria.
Use of plasmid and tranposons in genetic analysis.
Bacteriophages, Lytic phages-T7 and T4.Lysogenic phages Lambda phage, and P1, M13 and φ X174 life cycles, Phage MU and their uses in microbial genetics
Microbial genetics and design of vaccines. BCG and design of vaccine for TB and leprosy. DNA vaccines, design and advantages.