Molecular Biology

Code:

BIOL1013

Acronym:

BIOL1013

Level:

100

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2019/2020 - 2S

Active?	Yes
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	198	Official Study Plan	1	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The Molecular Biology course aims at providing the basic knowledge for understanding the molecular flow of information that maintains life, from gene to protein. Namely, the knowledge about the structure, organization and replication of the genetic material, the type of information contained in the genome, the mechanisms of transcription and translation, how these processes are regulated, and the structure and function of proteins.

It is also intended that the students acquire knowledge about the main strategies and methodological tools that allow the construction of knowledge in the area of Molecular Biology, as well as on their applications. 

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of the BM Course, the students should have aquired competences to:

. understand and describe the basic molecular processes of information flow in a cell, from gene to protein, as well as their regulation
. understand and describe the main strategies and methodologies of recombinant DNA technology
. understand and interpret adequately new discoveries and applications in the field of ​​molecular biology 
. perform simple practical assignments (individually and as a team) involving molecular biology techniques and analyze and interpret the repestive results 
. transfer / apply the basic knowledge of molecular biology to other areas of knowledge and other curricular units of the Degree in Biology
. develop autonomous search work that involves knowledge of molecular biology
. to carry out a critical analysis of the societal issues derived from the developments and applications of molecular/synthetic biology
. recognize emerging areas in molecular biology
. develop accurate communication and discussion activities about molecular biology topics.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Lectures

Introduction. The molecular basis of cell biology. Cell activity: from biological function to gene. Universal properties of the cells.

The DNA. Structure and properties of nucleotides and nucleic acids. DNA duplication. Mechanisms of duplication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Mutations and mutagens. Most common DNA damage and repair mechanisms.

Recombinant DNA technology I. Restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. Cloning vectors. Expression vectors and systems. Genomic and cDNA libraries. Reporter genes. DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

From DNA to mRNA. Structure of a gene. Transcription. mRNA processing. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Epigenetics.

Recombinant DNA technology II. Complementarity and nucleic acid hybridization Probes and search of genes in libraries. Southern and Northern blotting. Transcription evaluation: "microarrays" and "RNA sequencing". Sequencing techniques. Sequencing of genomes and knowledge derived from genome analysis. Model organisms.  Importance of applications of recombinant DNA technology: genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

From RNA to protein. Translation/protein synthesis. The universal genetic code. Protein structure. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. Domains. Chemical modification and post-translational processing of proteins. Establishment of the three-dimensional conformation of proteins - the chaperones. Life cycle of a protein - the ubiquitin pathway.

From protein to function. Structure-function relationship. Binding sites and ligands. Examples: enzymes, receptors and antibodies. Regulation of protein function: allosteric regulation, regulation of post-translational modifications and processing. 

Protein study. Immunological techniques. Cell fractionation. Purification of proteins including different types of liquid column chromatography. Electrophoresis. SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing and Western blotting. Amino acid sequencing - from Edman degradation to mass spectrometry. Characterization of the 3D structure of proteins: X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron microscopy.

Viruses and viroids. General features. Types of viral particles. Diversity of viral genetic material. Viral gene functions. Typical life cycle of a virus. Life cycle of a retrovirus. Lytic and lysogenic cycles of bacteriophages. Genetic heterogeneity of viral populations and their evolutionary and adaptive implications. Drift and antigenic shift of the influenza virus. Laboratory re-creation of biologically active viruses.

The use of model organisms. The rational of biological models. Main microorganism, plant and animal models, respective tools and strategies. 

The genomic revolution. The power of genomics to answer  biological questions, from function to evolution. Applications of genomics and ethical issues.

 

 Laboratory classes

Introduction to the basic techniques of molecular biology.
Isolation and quantification of DNA. Digestion of DNA with restriction enzymes. Separation of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction maps.
Amplification of a fragment of the gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP).  Primers design. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Separation of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis.
Competent cells and transformation of Escherichia coli with the plasmid pGLO. Regulation of the ara operon and GFP expression in E. coli. 

Mandatory literature

Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 9780815344643
Lodish Harvey F. 070; Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 9781464109812
Nelson David L. David Lee 1942-; Lehninger principles of biochemistry. ISBN: 978-1-57259-931-4
Videira Arnaldo 340; Engenharia genética. ISBN: 9789727577439
Baldwin Geoff 070; Synthetic biology. ISBN: 9781848168633

Teaching methods and learning activities

The theoretical lectures are based on power point presentations, videos and strongly supported by interaction with the students. Training questionnaires will be used at key moments for self-evaluation of the students, diagnosis  and, if needed, for the implementation of corrective measures by the teachers.

Students are encouraged to use the bibliography and other resources available (class materials, websites, videos and carefully selected articles).

Several "case studies" will be used as tools to apply and consolidate knowledge, as well as to stimulate students' interest and curiosity.

Laboratory practical classes will include experimental planning, realization of experiences and discussion of results. A "Practical Handbook" will be provided to the students containing the experimental procedures and training questionaires, as well as the program and classes scheduling.

keywords

Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	33,40
Exame	66,60
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	114,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance of at least 75% of laboratory classes. Working students need to do 2/3 of the practical classes work.

Exemption from practical classes
To obtain exemption of the frequency of practical classes it is necessary to:
1 - have  attended the classes in the immediately preceding academic year 
AND
2 - be enrolled in  "Dispensa"  at the Sigarra (PLD) 

Calculation formula of final grade

[2 x  Theoretical  (20 points) +  TP evaluation(20 points)]/3.

Minimum grade in theoretical examination - 7.5 points

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

none

Internship work/project

n.a.

Classification improvement

Theoretical - up to 1 year after completing the UC

TP- in the following year only

Observations

Contact Professor:  Paula Tamagnini