Postgraduate Course: Synthetic Biology: Modelling (INFR11066)
Course Outline
| School | School of Informatics |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Informatics |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/teaching/courses/sbm |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Synthetic biology is the rational design and synthesis of biological devices which display predictable functional behaviour. This course will examine the emerging technologies that are enabling synthetic biology from design through to optimisation principles. This course will bring in elements from Biology, Chemistry, Engineering and Informatics. The course will focus on computational modelling in support of design, verification and optimization of biological devices. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students should have knowledge of the basic mechanisms of molecular biology, basic calculus, probability theory and ordinary differential equations. |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
1 - Describe the core technologies and principles underlying Synthetic Biology.
2 - Discuss topical issues in Synthetic Biology research and development.
3 - Discuss the interplay between Informatics, Biology, Chemistry and Engineering that is enabling de novo biological design.
4 - Critically evaluate literature in the area of Synthetic Biology.
5 - Design and/or optimise new biological pathways using simulation packages.
6 - Discuss modelling techniques for synthetic systems. |
Assessment Information
Written Examination 70
Assessed Assignments 0
Oral Presentations 30
Assessment
This course is assessed via an oral presentation and a final examination.
If delivered in semester 1, this course will have an option for semester 1 only visiting undergraduate students, providing assessment prior to the end of the calendar year. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Synthetic Biology is a new and rapidly developing field and as such the set of topics covered in the course will vary in the first years. The course will be hosted by a single lecturer but much of the content will be delivered by experts from the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, Informatics and Engineering. Where appropriate we will also invite external guest lecturers.
Many of the lectures will focus on the presentation and discussion of topical research papers and interactive discussion will be encouraged. Other lectures will examine the current state of enabling technologies used in Synthetic Biology.
Topics covered may vary slightly from year to year, examples will include:
* Designing logical circuits using BioBricks
* Gene synthesis methods
* Design and optimisation techniques for gene synthesis
* Synthetic pathway modelling, design and optimisation
* Informatics approaches to chromosome design and construction
* Predicting bio-safety and efficacy of novel bio-entities
Relevant QAA Computing Curriculum Sections: Developing Technologies, Simulation and Modelling |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
* Luisi, Pier; The Emergence Of Life: From Chemical Origins To Synthetic Biology, Cambridge University Press (United Kingdom), 2006, ISBN: 9780521821179 ISBN-10:
* See course web page for further recommended readings...
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Lectures 20
Tutorials 0
Timetabled Laboratories 0
Non-timetabled assessed assignments 24
Private Study/Other 56
Total 100 |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Michael Rovatsos
Tel: (0131 6)51 3263
Email: mrovatso@inf.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Kate Weston
Tel: (0131 6)50 2701
Email: Kate.Weston@ed.ac.uk |
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