Introductory description

This final year module allows the students to bring their extensive background in molecular biology to bear on a complex and wide ranging topic which crosses phylum boundaries, is largely new to them, and which is one of the department’s areas of research expertise.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1 Introduction. General properties of circadian clocks; adaptive significance (IC)

2 Implications of circadian rhythms for human life. (IC)

3 How circadian rhythms contribute to plant fitness. (IC)

4 The molecular mechanism of the circadian clock. Identification of clock genes. The transcriptional-translational feedback loop model (IC)

5 Workshop -Identification of Frequency as a core component of the Neurospora circadian clock (Aronson et al, 1994, Science 263: 1578-1584) -IC

6 Delay mechanisms (IC)

7 Post-translational oscillators. The cyanobacterial clock; peroxiredoxin oscillations (IC)

8-9 Anatomical location of clocks. Hierarchical organisation or circadian oscillators in animals (IC)

10 Workshop – Food-entrainable oscillator (Stokkan et al, 2001, Science291:490-3) - IC

11 The interplay between the circadian clock and metabolism (IC)

12-13 Workshop – Impact of circadian rhythms on the gut microbiome (Thaiss et al, 2014, Cell 159: 514–529)-IC

14-15 Seasonal responses in plants and animals (IC)

16 Workshop – Photoperiodism in plants (Suarez-Lopez et al, 2001, Nature 410: 1116-1120)-IC

17 Circadian rhythms and cancer (FL)

18 Chronopharmacology (RD)

19 Workshop - Chronopharmacology (RD)

20 Revision and practice exam questions. (IC)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• LO1 Students should develop a better appreciation of the importance of temporal organization in Biology.
• LO2 From the recent research on the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms, they should become familiar with the current picture of biological pacemakers in several organisms.
• LO3 Students will learn to interpret different types of research data and to formulate their own independent conclusions.

Indicative reading list

"Rhythms of life. The biological clocks that control the daily life of every living thing" by Russel Foster and Leon Kreitzman. Profile Books. 2004.
ISBN 186-197-235-0

Chronbiology: biological timekeeping. Edited by J. C. Dunlap, J. J. Loros and P. J. DeCoursey. W. H. Freeman. Sinauer associates. 2004.
ISBN 0-87893-149-X

Young, M. W. and Kay, S. A. (2001) Time zones: a comparative genetics of circadian clocks. Nature Reviews Genetics 2: 702-715

Subject specific skills

a. Demonstrate clear understanding of the scientific topic

b. Contain evidence of extended reading and lateral integration of material not covered in the lectures

c. Demonstrate independent thought and deep understanding

d. Specifically answer the set question using information from multiple lectures and sources

e. Be structured and formatted in a way that demonstrates understanding and logical flow

f. Use multiple sources to construct complex scientific arguments and integrating these to build and develop the student's own scientific conclusions.

g. Use of quantitative skills to analyse and interpret published scientific data

Transferable skills

1. Critical appraisal of source material
2. Self directed learning
3. Adult learning