The aim of these courses is to give all our students a complete
understanding of the essential principles of the subject in order for
them to have an anchor for the growing body of specialized knowledge
that will follow in the succeeding years of their careers. It aims to
give each category of students a degree of knowledge and skill which
would be sufficient to meet the requirements of institutes of higher
education and research anywhere in the world, and also help to advance
the careers of personnel requiring a non-professional level of skill in
molecular biology, such as medical and medico-legal personnel.
Gene Technology for A-Level students
For G.C.E. ordinary level teachers, G.C.E. advanced level students, for
any person with a G.C. E. advanced level knowledge in biology who
wishes to obtain a foundation in gene technology.
Theory and Demonstrations [ hours]
Theoretical Course
Storage, transmission and expression of genetic information at
molecular level
- DNA structure
- DNA replication
- Gene transcription
- Gene translation - genetic
code and protein synthesis
Tools in Gene Technology
- Introduction to gene cloning
- Use of microorganisms and
plasmid vectors to transfer DNA from one
organism to another
- Creation of novel
[recombinant] DNA molecules
- Enzymes used in gene
manipulation restriction
enzymes, DNA ligase, DNA Polymerases and their applications
- Construction of DNA libraries
- Tools in DNA analysis gel
electrophoresis, DNA labeling, DNA
hybridization
Applications of Gene Technology
- Production of enzymes,
hormones and other therapeutic proteins and
vaccines
- Transgenic plants and animals
- Gene therapy
- DNA Technology in medical
diagnostics DNA probes
and Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] based assays
- DNA fingerprinting in
forensics
- DNA sequence analysis
- Genome projects
- Ethical considerations in
gene technology.
Practical Course [Demonstrations]
- Extraction of DNA from cells
- Visualization of DNA
- Transformation of bacteria
with plasmid DNA
- Creation of recombinants and
building up of DNA libraries
- Isolation of recombinant DNA
from E. coli
- Restriction enzyme digestion
of DNA
- Analysis of native and
restricted DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis
- DNA ligation
- Hybridization of DNA
- DNA library screening
- DNA probes and PCR analysis
in diagnostics
- DNA fingerprint analysis
- DNA sequence data analysis
Gene Technology for A-Level Teachers
For G.C.E. Advanced Level teachers, and for any person with a general
degree knowledge of biology who wishes to obtain a foundation in
molecular biology and gene technology.
Theory and Practical Course [ hours]
Theoretical Course
Storage, transmission and expression of genetic information at
molecular level:
- DNA structure
- Physical and chemical
properties of DNA
- DNA replication
- Prokaryotic and eukaryotic
gene transcription - primary transcript and
mRNA processing
- Gene translation - genetic
code, protein synthesis and the effect of
DNA mutations on gene translation
- Control of gene expression
Tools in Gene Technology:
- Introduction to gene cloning
- Microorganisms and cloning
vehicles
- Bacteria-plasmid
[host-vector] systems
- Creation of novel
[recombinant] DNA molecules
- Enzymes used in gene
manipulation: restriction enzymes creation of cohesive and blunt ended
DNA termini; ligation of DNA [DNA
ligases], DNA Polymerases and other modifying enzymes, and their
applications
- Construction of DNA libraries
- Tools in DNA analysis gel
electrophoresis, DNA labeling
methods, Southern hybridization, DNA sequence analysis, Polymerase
Chain Reaction [PCR] based amplification of DNA
Applications of Gene Technology:
- Production of enzymes,
hormones and other therapeutic proteins,
vaccines
- Transgenic plants and animals
- Gene therapy
- DNA technology in medical
diagnostics DNA probes and PCR in diagnostics
- DNA Fingerprinting in
Forensics
- Genome projects and
Bioinformatics
- Ethical considerations in
gene technology
Practical Course
- Extraction of DNA from cells
- Visualization and
quantification of DNA
- Transformation of bacteria
with plasmid DNA, creation of recombinants
and building up of DNA libraries
- Isolation of recombinant DNA
from bacteria
- Restriction enzyme digestion
of DNA
- Analysis of DNA by agarose
gel electrophoresis
- DNA ligation.
- Preparation of DNA probes
and hybridization of DNA
- DNA library screening,
- PCR analysis
- DNA sequence data analysis
Certificate Course in Gene Technology
This course is designed for students who have completed their G.C.E.
Advanced Level exam, and are hoping to pursue higher education in
biology or medicine, in universities abroad and in Sri Lanka.The course
would also help individuals seeking hands-on-practical experience in
molecular biology.
This course is also for personnel engaged in scientific research which
involves molecular biology techniques.
Theory and Practical Course [ hours]
Theoretical Course
- Structure,chemistry and
physical properties of Nuclelotides, DNA and
RNA [Nucleic acids]: Hydrolysis, acid depurination, ethanol
precipitation, melting temperature, denaturation, buoyant
density, hyperchromicity, etc.
- Function of Nucleic acids :
DNA replication, coding and non-coding
DNA, Transcription factors, mRNA synthesis and processing, genetic
code, translation factors and protein synthesis, and the effect of DNA
mutations on protein synthesis
- Tools in Gene Technology :
An overview of gene technology, Host-vector
systems, Specific action and purpose of enzymes used in gene
manipulation: Restriction Endonucleases creation of blunt and
protruding termini; DNA ligase, DNA and RNA Polymerases, Kinases,
Reverse Tranascriptase, Exonucleases, Phosphatases, Tools in
DNA analysis : Extraction of DNA, Gel electrophoresis,
Spectrophotometry; Cloning of DNA: Cloning in plasmids and
bacteriophages, Construction of genomic and cDNA
libraries; DNA probes and DNA Labeling
methods, DNA Hybridization, Screening of DNA Libraries, DNA
Sequence analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction.
- Current Applications and
ethical aspects of Gene Technology
Practical Course
- Preparation of molecular
biology solutions and accessories
- Extraction of genomic DNA,
quantification, and assessment of the
quality of DNA
- Culture and transformation
of E.coli,
- Isolation of plasmid DNA
from E. coli,
- Analysis of native and
restricted plasmid and genomic DNA by agarose
gel electrophoresis
- Dephosphorylation of DNA
- Ligation of DNA
- Preparation of DNA probes
- Southern transfer and
hybridization of DNA,
- DNA library screening and
hybridisation,
- PCR Assay and DNA sequence
data analysis
Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] Technology
This course is also for personnel engaged in scientific research,
diagnostics and teaching which involves Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR]
Technology.
Theory and Practical Course [ hours]
Theoretical Course
- Guidelines for PCR
- Principle of PCR
- Critical factors for
successful PCR
- Designing PCR primers
- Standard practices in a PCR
Laboratory
- Troubleshooting and
prevention of carryover contamination
- Optimization strategies for
PCR
PCR product analysis
- Detection of PCR products by
gel electrophoresis
- Methods of purification and
quantification of PCR products
- Methods of labelling of PCR
products [PCR probes] and visualization of
label
- Cloning of PCR products TOPO
cloning
- DNA sequence analysis of PCR
product
PCR Applications
- Restriction Fragment Length
Polymorphism [RFLP] and Randomly Amplified
Polymorphic DNA [RAPD] analysis
- Short Tandem Repeat
[STR][micro-satellite] analysis
- Multiplex PCR
- Reverse Transcription [RT]
-PCR
- PCR-ELISA [Enzyme Linked
Immuno absorbant Assay]
- In-situ PCR
- Quality Control/ Quality
Assurance of PCR assays
Practical course
- Extraction of DNA from
cells, blood stains for PCR
- A standard PCR assay
- Analysis of PCR products by
agarose and acrylamide gel
electrophoresis
- Strategies for optimization
of PCR
- Purification of PCR products
- Labelling of PCR products
- Primer design using online
sequence databases
- PCR-RFLP assay
- Multiplex PCR assay
- RT-PCR assay
- PCR-ELISA assay
- PCR troubleshooting
Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious diseases
For medical officers and scientists who wish to obtain a foundation in
the theoretical and practical aspects of molecular diagnostics
Theory and Practical Course [hrs]
Theoretical Course
- Molecular Diagnostic Tools
- Extraction of nucleic acids
[DNA/RNA] from different clinical specimens
- Development of DNA probes
Nucleic acid hybridization
- PCR [Polymerase Chain
Reaction]
- PCR-Hybridization
