GMS 6038: Bacterial Genetics and Physiology

Catalog description: This course will provide a theoretical frame work for understanding the fundamental concepts of bacterial genetics and physiology.


Prerequisites/corequisites: GMS 6001 and 6002 or consent of instructor.

Expanded description and explanation: This course will cover bacterial genetics and physiology to facilitate the use of bacteria as research tools in molecular genetics and to understand the ability of bacteria to cause disease. The major focus will be on manipulating bacteria for cloning, expression, or mutation of recombinant genes and to manipulate bacterial genes to elucidate their functions in bacterial pathogenesis. E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium will be models for gram-negative microorganisms, and a model gram-positive organism will be presented. Physiology will involve cell structure and function with emphasis on membrane biology. Unique aspects of bacterial transcription and translation will be emphasized, especially as to how they can be manipulated. Protein localization and secretion will be covered with respect to their use in recombinant genetics.

Evaluation of student performance: By examination and by oral and written reports.

Faculty: Dr. Paul Gulig will be the course director. He will be assisted by staff from the health center who are expert in bacterial genetics.

Summary of Topics: (15 meetings)

  1. Introduction to bacterial structure
  2. Introduction to bacterial physiology
  3. Introduction to bacterial genetics
  4. Restriction and modification systems
  5. Plasmid biology I
  6. Plasmid biology II
  7. Phage biology -M13 and P1
  8. Insertion sequences and transposons
  9. Genetic selections and screens I
  10. Genetic selections and screens II
  11. Allelic exchange mechanisms
  12. Expression systems I: phagemids
  13. Expression systems II: T7 and Sgt11
  14. Applications to Gram-positive organisms I
  15. Applications to Gram-positive organisms II

Assigned readings:  "Molecular Genetics of Bacteria", Champness & Snyder, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C.  Additional reading assignments will be based on review articles and original research papers from the biomedical literature.