Molecular Manipulation and Biotechnology

Code:

BIOL2009

Acronym:

BIOL2009

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://elearning2.fc.up.pt/aulasweb0910/course/view.php?id=2858
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:B	272	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Provide basic and advanced bases for understanding Molecular Biology methods that are currently being utilized in the modern biology, biomedical sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries and extensively used in modern day drug discovery, research and development, and diagnostics. Understanding of molecular biology techniques including DNA manipulation, sequencing, cloning, subcloning, library construction, screening, RNA isolation and characterization, analysis of expression, cDNA synthesis (RT-PCR) and analysis, primer designing and Real-Time-PCR, DNA sequencing, microarrays and gene chips.

 

Provide hands-on training on Recombinant DNA Techniques & Bioinformatics Tools. Acquire communication skills in various areas of molecular biology. Becoming familiar with the primary scientific literature, experimental design and data analysis.

Learning outcomes and competences

Understand the key features of commonly used molecular biology techniques. Describe techniques for manipulating and characterizing cloned DNA, namely the role of restriction endonucleases and ligases in gene cloning. Describe the key elements for a plasmid to be useful as a cloning vector. Compare different types of cloning vectors in terms of their applications for cDNA, genomic, and expression cloning, as well as the production of proteins.

Compare the procedures for making clone libraries from genomic DNA and cDNA, and cite examples from the literature where each would be useful. Compare the methods that can be used to detect the presence of a particular nucleotide sequence in tissue and cell preparations. Describe how PCR works and how it is used for cloning. Understand quantitative real time PCR and describe applications for gene quantitation and gene expression analysis. Explain the rationale of the Sanger procedure for sequencing DNA and describe its use in automatic DNA sequencers. Know Next Generation Sequencing options and discuss applications.

Compare the common methods for detecting and quantifying transcription, in cell extracts and whole cells, namely by microarrays and gene chips.

 

Demonstrate laboratory and basic bioinformatics skills in DNA manipulation, cloning, DNA isolation and characterization, restriction analysis, electrophoresis in agarose gels, PCR, primer design and data base search.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. DNA cloning, cloning vectors. Cloning vectors for Eukaryotes and production and uses of transgenic organisms. Mutagenesis. Hybridization techniques. Gene identification and gene expression analysis. DNA Microarrays. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Real-time PCR. Sequencing genes and genomes. Sanger Method. Next generation sequencing, pyrosequencing. High through-put expression profiling. Basic Bioinformatic analysis.

Mandatory literature

Videira, A ; Engenharia genética – Princípios e aplicações
Micklos DA, Freyer GA ; DNA Science: A First Course
Watson, J. D., Caudy, A. A., Myers, R. M. & Witkowski, J. A; ) Recombinant DNA. Genes and genomes: a short course
NCBI - National Center for Biotechnology Information; A Science Primer

Complementary Bibliography

Sambrook J, Russell D ; Molecular Cloning, a laboratory manual

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures using slides and educational animations. Discussion of scientific articles and solving exercises. Activities include lectures, discussion groups, tutorials, problem solving, debates, etc.. Solving exercises in E-Learning platform.

Software

Primer3
pDRAW32

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biological engineering > Genetic engineering
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Participação presencial	0,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Laboratory classes - attendance compulsory - minimum 3/4 of the total number of classes. Working students must deliver de assigned on-line exercises

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Exam = (2 x T + TP)/3 - minimum grade 8/20 in each exam

Classification improvement

Grade improvement in second opportunity exam.