Aim of the course:
The theoretical lectures of the course introduce students to basic concepts, principles and methods of molecular biology used in laboratories providing services to the public and in research protocols. Students upon completion of the course will be able to understand both the basic concepts of molecular biology and the theoretical background of basic methods of molecular biology. Students after the end of the semester, must have acquired good theoretical knowledge of modern molecular methods.
Objectives and expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to know and to understand:
- Elements and control mechanisms of gene expression and the related molecular methods used to study it.
- Data on transgenic animals and genetic modification.
- Elements of bioinformatics and its applications in molecular biology.
- How to use general texts, reference books and a range of other resources to further develop knowledge through continuous independent learning.
SYLLABUS
THEORY
1. Structure and properties of DNA and RNA: Central dogma of molecular biology – DNA- Structure and function. Chromatin Forms-Chromosomes. DNA denaturation, rearrangement and DNA ligation. Nucleic acid hybridization. Supercoiled DNA, topoisomerases. Bacterial and eukaryotic chromosomes. Nucleosomes, active chromatin. Relationship between genome size and organ complexity. Repetitive DNA. The genetic material of viruses and bacteriophages.
2. Recombinant DNA technology: Restriction enzymes (endonucleases). Artificial ligation of DNA fragments. DNA mapping using restriction enzymes.
3. Cloning, cloning vectors.
4. Nucleic acid hybridization: Detection and characterization of specific DNA sequences, probes, hybridizations using Southern, Northern, etc.
5. Determination methods of primary DNA structure. Research programs for determining whole genomes of organisms.
6. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its applications. Real time polymerase chain reaction (real time PCR) and its applications
7. DNA replication: Protein factors and replication enzymes. Mechanisms of DNA replication in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The replication mechanisms in bacteriophage DNA as well as in DNA and RNA viruses.
8. Transcription: Transcription enzymes. Promoter sequences. Transcription mechanism in prokaryotic organisms. RNA maturation. Regulatory mechanisms.
9. Transcription in eukaryotic organisms: Specific features. Transcription factors. RNA maturation. Regulation mechanisms of transcription.
10. Protein biosynthesis (translation): Genetic code, instability, repression, mRNA origin and evolution of the genetic code. Mechanisms of protein synthesis. Structure and functionality of tRNAs. Structure and functionality of ribosomes. Role of ribosomal RNA in protein synthesis.
11. Gene expression study using molecular biology methods such as RT-PCR and qRTPCR as well as microarrays and RNA-sequencing technology
12. Transgenic animals and genetic modification
13. Bioinformatics in molecular biology