Molecular and Cell Biology I

Code:

MD1102

Acronym:

BCM I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2008/2009 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Dental Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMD	111	PLANO OFICIAL 2007/2008 BOLONHA	1	-	6	90	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a solid knowleadge about the cell molecular biology and organization.

Program

The Cell: concepts and evolution. Universal characteristics of the cells. Eukaryotic and procaryotic cells. Celular Chemical components.

DNA: estructure and function. Genes and chromosomes. The Human Genome: Principal findings and future perspectives for medical practice.
DNA Replication,mutation and repair. General Recombination and site-specific recombination. Mobile genetic elements and evolution. Structure and organization of Víruses.

RNA: Structure and function. rRNA, tRNA and mRNA . The RNA world and the origin of life.

From RNA to Protein: Translation. Protein structure and function. Gene expression and mechanisms of control. Molecular genetic mechanisms that create specialized cell types .

Cell study methods: Isolating cells and growing them in culture. Microscopy. Molecular Biology thecniques and its application in medicine. Studying gene expression and function. Biological models of study in biomedicine.

laboratory/practical classes:

Lab safety rules
Learning how to use an optical microscope
Preparing samples for microscopy
DNA extraction
DNA amplification, PCR
DNA electrophoresis
Plasmid construction and restriction maps
Western blotting

Complementary learning:

Analysis and discussion of the following articles:


- “Citizenship and the medical sciences”
- “Genes, learning, behaviour and the outside world”
- “Faith and the Human Genome”
- “Superbugs – the problem of antimicrobial resistance”
- “In Search of an Enigma: The "Spanish Lady"”
- “The threat of an influenza pandemic”
- “Prions: A scientific revolution?”
- “HIV and AIDS: 20 years of science”
- “Possibilities and dilemmas of using transgenic food in human nutrition”
- “Unlocking the potential of the human genome with RNA interference”
- “DNA microarrays in medical practice”
- “Why flies are relevant to medical research”
- “Animal Models for Human Diseases: Is There a Future Without Them?”

Mandatory literature

Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 0-8153-4072-9

Complementary Bibliography

Lodish Harvey 070; Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 0-7167-4366-3
Cooper Geoffrey M.; The^cell. ISBN: 0-87893-220-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Active learning

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	127,50
1st Theoretical test	Exame			2008-11-19
2nd theoretical test	Exame			2009-01-21
Paper discussions	Participação presencial			2009-01-20
Problem solving and essays on themes discussed in class	Teste			2009-01-20
laboratory experiments	Trabalho laboratorial			2009-01-21
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Continuous evaluation, theory(T), laboratory (L) and complementary learning (C).

Theory (T)

2 tests (one hour each) containing 15 "short-answer" questions

Test nº 1 represents 40% of the theory grade
Test nº 2 represents 50% of the theory grade
The remaing 10% will depend on the studants presence and participation during theory classes

The minimum grade in theory has to be a score of at least 10/20


Laboratory (L)

Presence in class - 10% of the laboratory grade
Class participation - 5% of the laboratory grade
Lab work - 15% of the laboratory grade
Lab reports and resolution of problems will make 70% of the laboratory grade

The minimum grade in laboratory has to be a score of at least 10/20


Complementary learning (C)

Paper discussons - 40% of the final grade
short questions concerning the papers discussed in class and problem resolution - 50% of final grade
Presence in class - 10% of the final grade

There is no minimum grade in Complementary learning

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final grade is calculated using the following values:

Theory Grade (T) – 50% of the FINAL grade
Laboratory (L) – 30% of the FINAL grade
Complementary learning (C) – 20% of the FINAL grade

Examinations or Special Assignments

Resolution of a complex problem presented by the teachers, in a discussion forum. This work implies some research and the first student to correctly solve the problem will get a bonus of +1 (in a 0-20 scale)

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

These students will be alowed to have alternative exam dates, in accordance with the law.

Classification improvement

It is obligatory to evaluate theory and laboratory components of the discipline.