MICROBIAL GENETICS

Paper Code: 
MBL 221
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75
Objective: 
  • Understand the basic mechanism of point mutation.
  • Concept of gene.
  • Understand the mechanisms of conjugation, transformation, transduction in bacteria
  • Understand the role of microbial genetics in vaccine designing.
10.00
Unit I: 
Introduction to gene and mutagenesis

                                

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. 

                                               

20.00
Unit II: 
Bacterial genetics

 

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.

15.00
Unit III: 
Plasmids and Transposons

                                                               

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.

15.00
Unit IV: 
Bacteriophages

                                                                      

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.

15.00
Unit V: 
Role of microbial genetics in vaccine designing

                            

Microbial genetics and design of vaccines. BCG and design of vaccine for TB and leprosy. DNA vaccines, design and advantages.                                                         

ESSENTIAL READINGS: 
  1. Microbial Genetics, Stanley R. Maloy, John E. Cronan, Jr., David Freifelder, 2nd edition, Jones and Barlett Publishers, 1994.
REFERENCES: 
  1. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Larry Snyder and Wendy Champness, ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 1997.
  2. Essentials of Molecular Biology, George M. Malacinski, David Freifelder,3rd edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1998.
Academic Year: 
2015-2016
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