Molecular Manipulation and Biotechnology

Code:

BIOL2009

Acronym:

BIOL2009

Level:

200

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 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	171	Official Study Plan	2	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Provide basic and advanced bases for understanding Molecular Biology methods and Genetic Engineering that are currently usede in modern biology, namely in Plant Biotechnology, crop and forest improvement, GMO detection, production of recombinant proteins, biomedical sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, research and development, and diagnostics. Understanding of molecular biology techniques including DNA manipulation, sequencing, cloning, library construction, screening, RNA isolation and characterization, gene expression analysis, cDNA synthesis (RT-PCR) and analysis, primer design and Real-Time-PCR and DNA sequencing.

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

 

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

Working method

Presencial

Program

Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. Restriction Enzymes and other enzymes used in DNA manipulation. DNA cloning, cloning vectors. Cloning vectors for Eukaryotes and production and uses of transgenic organisms. Reporter genes. Site directed Mutagenesis. CRISPR. 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. High through-put expression profiling. Basic Bioinformatic analysis.

Laboratory classes include training in molecular Biology techniques, handling bacteria, preparing bacterial media. Biosafety, genetic markers of E. coli strains used for gene cloning. Non mobilizable plasmid vectos. Competent cells, bacterial transformation by heat-shock with various types of cloning plasmid vectors. Miniprep of Plasmid DNA. DNA electrophoresis. Analysis of maps and different features of plasmid vectors. Selection markers and alpha-complementation. Restriction maps. Primer design and PCR. Chromatogram analysis. Basic bioinformatics

Mandatory literature

Videira, A ; Engenharia genética – Princípios e aplicações

Complementary Bibliography

Glick, Bernard R. and Patten, Cheryl L; Molecular Biotechnology: Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA,, American Society for Microbiology, 2017
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
Watson James D. 1928- 070; Recombinant DNA. ISBN: 9781429203128
Sambrook Joseph; Molecular cloning. ISBN: 978-087969-577-4 (Vol. 1)

Teaching methods and learning activities

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

Software

Primer3
pDRAW32
Serial cloner
NEB cutter

keywords

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

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	100,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Trabalho escrito	14,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

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

ALL Students must be formally registred in a pratical class in the Sigarra platform.
Noncompliance implies loss of frequency and impediment of performing the written tests 

Calculation formula of final grade

The evaluation will consist of two tests, the second being carried out on the date set for the examination of the normal period. The tests will focus on the subjects of both theoretical and practical classes. Each test is rated on the scale of 0-20.


Final grade = (test1 + test2)/2


In case of non-approval in the tests it will be possible to have a global test at the date set for the make up exam.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Student workers must deliver assigned exercises.

Classification improvement

Grade improvement can be made until the time of the make up exams of the academic year subsequent to the one in which the student obtained approval. It can therefore be done by tests (if taken during the normal exam period) or by a global test (if taken during the make up exam period).