Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Courses

Key to Course Descriptions

For Distribution Requirement purposes, all MGY courses are classified as SCIENCE courses (see page 27).

| Course Winter Timetable |


MGY299Y1
Research Opportunity Program

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. See page 47 for details.


MGY311Y1
Molecular Biology 78L

DNA replication, DNA repair and mutation, recombination, transcription, RNA modification and processing, the genetic code and tRNA, translation, regulation of gene expression, development and differentiation, molecular evolution.

Exclusion: CSB349H1, JBC372H5(UTM), MGB311Y1, PSL350H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BCH242Y1


MGY312H1
Principles of Genetic Analysis        78P

Laboratory experiments in genetics of selected organisms. Topics studied include Mendelian genetics, linkage and recombination, complementation, analysis of chromosome rearrangements, mutant selection and analysis in plants and bacteria, and genetic crosses with plants, bacteria and bacteriophages.

Exclusion: MGB312H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BIO260H1
Co-requisite: MGY311Y1


MGY376H1
Microbiology Laboratory        78P

Fundamental laboratory techniques in bacteriology and virology. Valuable not only for students specializing in Microbiology but also for those in related disciplines which make use of bacteria and viruses as research tools. Open to students in related programs.

Exclusion: MBY376H1
Prerequisite: BIO250Y1, BIO260H1/HMB265H1
Co-requisite: MGY377H1, MGY378H1


MGY377H1
Microbiology I: Bacteria        39L

Detailed study of bacteria in terms of structure, classification and replication. Basis for advanced study in various aspects of bacteriology including bacterial physiology, bacterial genetics, molecular pathogenesis of disease and environmental studies.

Exclusion: BIO370Y5 (UTM), MBY375Y1, MBY377H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/BCH242Y1; BIO250Y1


MGY378H1
Microbiology II: Viruses        39L

Detailed study of viruses in terms of structure, classification, replication and interaction with the host. Basis for advanced study in virology. Requires some familiarity with immunology. A concurrent course in immunology (IMM334Y1/IMM335Y1) is recommended.

Exclusion: BIO351Y1, CSB351Y1, MBY375Y1, MBY378H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/BCH242Y1; BIO250Y1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1
Co-requisite: CSB349H1/MGY311Y1
Recommended preparation: MGY377H1


MGY420H1
Regulation of Gene Expression 26L

This course describes regulatory mechanisms controlling gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The lectures are designed to promote discussion of various experimental approaches. Topics include: assembly of a transcription complex; initiation of transcription; role of sigma factors and transcription factors; role of regulators of transcription; regulation of SV40 transcription; lambda antitermination; antitermination in HIV-1.

Exclusion: BIO477H5 (UTM), MGB420H1
Prerequisite: BCH242Y1, BCH340H1, MGY311Y1


MGY425H1
Signal Transduction and Cell Cycle Regulation
       26L

This course presents and integrates molecular aspects of signal transduction and cell cycle regulation in eukaryotic cells from yeast to humans. Emphasis is on recent advances in growth factor receptor signalling, modular protein domains, and the recurrent role of protein phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions in cell regulation.

Exclusion: MGB425H1
Prerequisite: BCH242Y1, MGY311Y1


MGY428H1
Functional Genomics        26L

A broad ranging course that covers many aspects of genomics, which is the discipline of defining and attributing function to all of the heritable material of an organism on a genome-wide scale, as applied to microbes, invertebrates and vertebrates. The primary and review literature will be the basis of all lectures.
Exclusion: MBY428H1
Prerequisites: BCH210H1/BCH242Y1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; MGY311Y1/CSB349H1


MGY432H1
Laboratory in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
       78P

Laboratory experiments demonstrating basic and advanced molecular biological methods applied to molecular genetics and microbiology.

Exclusion: CSB330H1, MGB430H1, MBY450H1
Prerequisite: MGY312H1/MGY376H1


MGY434H1
Bacterial Signalling and Physiological Regulation
       39L

How bacteria sense their environment and signal to regulatory systems when to adapt to environmental stimuli. Topics discussed include the bacterial cell cycle, carbon/energy metabolism, catabolite repression, bacterial development, sporulation, stress responses, regulatory two-component systems and quorum sensing.

Exclusion: MBY434H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/BCH242Y1, MGY377H1, CSB349H1/ MGY311Y1


MGY440H1
Molecular Virology        39L

Analysis of virus/host interactions at the molecular level. Course material is based on recent research publications.

Exclusion: MBY440H1
Prerequisite: BCH210H1/BCH242Y1; CSB349H1/ MGY311Y1; MGY378H1. (Note: BIO351Y1/CSB351Y is not an acceptable equivalent to MGY378H1)
Recommended preparation: IMM334Y1/IMM335Y1


MGY445H1
Genetic Engineering for Prevention and Treatment of Disease
       39L

Current approaches to gene therapy including design of virus-based vectors for delivery and expression of effector genes. Emphasis on the use of retrovirus-based strategies for prevention and treatment of HIV infection.

Exclusion: MBY445H1
Prerequisite: MGY378H1/ MGY311Y1


MGY451H1
Genetic Analysis of Development: Yeast and Worms
       26L

Basic and advanced principles of genetic analysis applied to the study of two of the best-understood eukaryotic model organisms: the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. We emphasize the use of genetic approaches to address problems in cell biology and development, such as the regulation of cell fate. Much of the knowledge gained from these simple organisms has proven broadly applicable, and the same principles of developmental genetic analysis underlie efforts to understand the development of more complex organisms.

Exclusion: MGB451H1
Prerequisite: BIO260H1, MGY311Y1/CSB349H1


MGY452H1
Genetic Analysis of Development: Flies and Mice
       26L

This is a companion course to MGY451H1. Advanced genetic principles and approaches, used in the study of fly and mouse development, are introduced. Emphasis is placed on developmental processes that are conserved among these major model organisms.

Exclusion: MGB452H1
Prerequisite: BIO260H1, MGY311Y1/CSB349H1
Recommended preparation: MGY451H1 or equivalent


MGY470H1
Human and Molecular Genetics        26L

Current aspects of human and molecular genetics including: chromosome structure and function, inheritance of mutations and disease, the human genome and disease gene mapping, cancer genetics, mouse disease models and gene based diagnostics and therapies.

Exclusion: MGB470H1
Prerequisite: MGY311Y1


MGY480Y1
Special Project        TBA

An opportunity for specialized individual research in molecular genetics and microbiology by arrangement with the course coordinator.

Exclusion: MGB480Y1, MBY422Y1
Prerequisite : BCH371H1/MGY312H1/MGY376H1, MGY311Y1


MIJ485H1
Vaccines and Immunity        39L (formerly MGY485H1)

Analysis of infectious disease vaccines, and pathogens’ strategies to evade specific immune response, with an emphasis on molecular and immunological aspects. Special topics include: molecular basis of pathogenicity and immune-evasion strategies; vaccination strategies; adverse effects of vaccines (given jointly by the Departments of Medical Genetics & Microbiology and Immunology).

Exclusion: MBY480H1, MGY485H1
Prerequisite: IMM334Y1/IMM335Y1, MGY377H1, MGY378H1

Note: MGY460H1 (Plant Molecular Genetics) is now given as CSB460H1. Consult the Department of Cell and Systems Biology listing.