1. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of advanced molecular biology methods and technologies for the extraction, manipulation, and analysis of nucleic acids, proteins, and biological samples, and explain their relevance to health and disease mechanisms.

Knowledge & Understanding

Digital Literacy

2. Independently design, execute, and critically appraise molecular biology and bioinformatics experiments, analysing and reflecting on complex data from clinical and biomedical samples to solve problems in disease diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.

Application & Problem Solving, Research Skills

3. Evaluate and synthesise current research literature, demonstrating enquiry, originality, and reflective learning in appraising molecular and bioinformatic approaches for understanding, diagnosing, and managing health and disease, and identifying opportunities for further development.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship, Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

Assessment

Digital Lab Portfolio: An Electronic Laboratory Book, that will contain analysis, presentation and evaluation of data and methods. Proficiency of practical skills will be assessed through the generation of expected results (LO 1, 2, 3). 3000 WORDS weighted at 100%

Formative feedback will be given over the activities and tasks associated with the module topics. These will be discussion in online tutorials. Discussion between students will be encouraged allowing peer and tutor feedback to be given.

This module will enable you to develop and enhance your understanding of contemporary molecular biology techniques and data analysis, with a focus on your application to health and disease. You will progress from environmental sampling and microbial characterisation to advanced molecular analysis and clinical bioinformatics. Indicative content includes:

Environmental Sample Collection and Bacterial Quantification
Begin with the collection of environmental and clinical samples to understand the diversity and prevalence of bacteria relevant to public health and disease outbreaks.

Colony Characterisation and Microbial Staining
Record the characteristics and morphology of bacterial colonies, using microbial staining to identify pathogens and commensals associated with disease states.

PCR Fundamentals and Bacterial Identification
Apply PCR techniques to detect and identify disease-causing bacteria, highlighting the clinical importance of rapid and accurate diagnostics.

Bacterial DNA Extraction and Gel Electrophoresis
Extract bacterial DNA from samples and use gel electrophoresis to confirm the presence of pathogenic organisms, supporting the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

Genome Sequence Analysis and Bioinformatics
Utilise genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to analyse microbial genomes, tracing sources of infection and understanding mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

Post-PCR Processing and Sanger Sequencing
Perform post-PCR clean-up and Sanger sequencing to accurately identify microbial species implicated in health conditions and emerging diseases.

Recombinant DNA Technology (RDT) Techniques
Explore RDT processes such as plasmid isolation, restriction digestion, ligation, and transformation, with applications in developing gene therapies and vaccines.

Microbiome Analysis and 16S rRNA Interpretation
Analyse the human microbiome and interpret 16S rRNA gene sequences to investigate the role of microbial communities in health, chronic disease, and immune response.

Advanced Analytical and Quantification Methods
Use spectroscopic, LCMS, and HPLC-UV techniques to quantify biomarkers such as ions, hormones, and proteins, providing insight into disease diagnosis, progression, and monitoring.

Integrated Omics and Clinical Bioinformatics
Integrate genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics data through clinical bioinformatics to address complex health conditions, inform personalised medicine, and facilitate translational research in disease management.

This module offers an immersive exploration of contemporary molecular biology techniques and their pivotal role in health and disease. You will build a robust foundation in laboratory and analytical skills, progressing from environmental sample collection and microbial characterisation to advanced molecular analysis and clinical bioinformatics.

Through interactive lectures, seminars, and workshop activities, you will learn to collect and quantify environmental and clinical bacterial samples, record colony characteristics, and use microbial staining to identify pathogens involved in public health and disease outbreaks. You will gain hands-on experience in PCR and bacterial DNA extraction, mastering gel electrophoresis for the identification of infectious agents.

The module covers genome sequencing and bioinformatics, enabling you to analyse microbial genomes, trace sources of infection, and investigate antibiotic resistance. You will perform post-PCR clean-up and Sanger sequencing to accurately identify disease-related microbes, and explore recombinant DNA technology, including plasmid isolation, restriction digestion, ligation, and transformation, with applications in developing gene therapies and vaccines.

You will integrate multi-omics data and clinical bioinformatics approaches to address complex health conditions, inform personalised medicine, and facilitate translational research. Real-world case studies and reflective exercises will challenge you to critically evaluate current research, communicate scientific insights, and consider the ethical and societal implications of molecular technologies in healthcare. By the end of the module, you will be equipped with the practical expertise and analytical skills required for further study or professional practice in molecular biology, clinical diagnostics, and bioscience research.

The learning strategy for this module centres on a dynamic blend of interactive lectures and extensive practical laboratory sessions, supplemented by seminars, workshops, and in-class formative tasks to create a stimulating and supportive environment for student learning.

Each week, you will participate in three hours of hands-on practical laboratory work and two hours of face-to-face lectures. Lectures provide a structured exploration of core molecular biology topics, covering sample collection, microbial characterisation, molecular analysis, and bioinformatics in the context of health and disease. These sessions encourage engagement through discussion, questioning, and collaborative activities, enabling students to investigate the relevance of molecular biology techniques to real-world health problems.

The weekly practical sessions are designed to develop essential laboratory skills, allowing you to apply techniques such as sample processing, microbial staining, PCR, DNA extraction, sequencing, and advanced analytical methods. You will work collaboratively to solve problems, interpret data, and connect theory to practice in a real laboratory setting.

Seminars and workshops offer further opportunities for deeper engagement with the material, fostering critical analysis, problem solving, and the application of molecular biology to health and disease case studies. Group discussions, case studies, and data interpretation exercises are used to develop critical thinking and communication skills.

In-class formative tasks are integrated throughout the module to reinforce key principles, encourage reflection, and provide immediate feedback on your progress. These activities support the development of analytical and reflective skills, ensuring you can address areas for improvement and consolidate their learning.

Essential Reading

These texts provide the foundational knowledge and laboratory skills required for the module:

Essential Reading

Brown, T. A. (2025).¿Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. 9th edition. Wiley-Blackwell Science. ISBN: 9781394292561.

Carson, S., Miller, H., Srougi, M., & Witherow, S. (2026).¿Molecular Biology Techniques: A Classroom Laboratory Manual. 5th edition. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780443267147.

Baxevanis, A., G. D. Bader, & D. S. Wishart (2020). Bioinformatics. 4th edition. Wiley. ISBN: 9781119335580

Goldberg M. L., & J. A. Fischer (2024). Genetics from genes to genomes. 8th edition. McGraw Hill. ISBN 9781266246678

Current material from e-journals and bioinformatics websites.

Molecular Biology Laboratory:
Access to a fully equipped laboratory with essential instruments for all practical sessions.

Technical Staff Support:
Full-time science technical staff available to assist during laboratory work.

Molecular Consumables:
All necessary reagents and consumables provided for experiments.

Teaching and Workshop Spaces:
Suitable rooms for seminars, workshops, and group activities.

Library and Internet Access:
Comprehensive resources for independent study and research.

Computer Labs and Software:
Access to computer labs with relevant programming and analysis tools.

Public Databases:
Training in the use of publicly available molecular biology databases.

Health & Safety and Ethics Support:
Guidance provided for preparing Health & Safety and ethical documentation.