Molecular Genetics
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Basic Sciences |
Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S (of 21-02-2022 to 17-06-2022) ![Requerida a integração com o Moodle Ícone do Moodle](/icbas/pt/imagens/MoodleIcon)
Cycles of Study/Courses
Acronym |
No. of Students |
Study Plan |
Curricular Years |
Credits UCN |
Credits ECTS |
Contact hours |
Total Time |
MIMV |
89 |
Official Study Plan |
1 |
- |
4,5 |
56 |
121,5 |
Teaching language
Portuguese and english
Obs.: As aulas e os exames serão dadas em Português OU Inglês, dependendo dos estudantes.
Objectives
To acquire knowledge about: - the structure and replication of the genetic material and its organization - the organization of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes - the information contained in the genome and how it is expressed, transcribed and translated - the different types of RNA molecules that exist - the mechanisms of RNA processing - recombinant DNA techniques - alterations and mutations that can occur in DNA - recombination mechanisms - regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes - viruses and oncogenes.
Learning outcomes and competences
From the theoretical part of this curricular unit students are expected to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in genetic and biological organization necessary for the correct establishment of the identity of organisms. On the practical part, students are expected to acquire knowledge of molecular biology techniques that enable them to purify genomic and plasmid DNA, to analyse it, to manipulate it, and to introduce plasmid DNA into bacteria.
Working method
Presencial
Program
- Introduction 2. Structure and organization of DNA Discovery of the genetic material. Composition of DNA. Structure of DNA. Physical properties of DNA, denaturation and renaturation. Struture of the chromatin. The nuclear matrix and the scaffold models. Types of DNA sequence in the genome. Repeated and satellite sequences. 3. DNA replication The central dogama o molecular biology. Polymerization of DNA. General model for replication. Enzymes and factores. Other types of DNA replication. 4.Transcription Types of RNA. General structure of promoters. Transcription. The preinitiation complex. Initiation, elongation and termination. 5. The genetic code The genetic code, rules of the universal table and organization of codons. Alterations of the genetic code. 6. Translation The concept of Open reading frame. Structure of tRNAs. The model of wobble pairing. Initiation, elongation and termination. 7. Processing of RNAs General model of processing RNAs. Intron and exon sequences. Small nuclear ribonuclear particles. Processamento de RNAs. Intrões e exões. Processing tRNAs, mRNAs, RNA in the mitochondria. RNA editing. 8. DNA recombinant techniques Restriction enzymes. Vectors for cloning. Restriction maps. Radioisotopes and DNA labelling. Genomic, cDNA and expression libraries. Chromosome walking and organizing the genome. DNA sequencing. Southern blot. Northern blot. Western blot. Primer extension. In situ hybridization. Analysis of promoter sequences. Protein DNA interactions. DNA and protein data bases. Generation of transgenic organisms. Conditional expression. 9. Alteration of the DNA Mutations. Structural and point mutations. Induction and spontaneous mutations. Transition and transvection. Frameshift, nonsense, missense. Silence, neutral. Intragenic and extragenic suppression. DNA repair. Foto-reactivation. Nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair. Recombination or post-replication repair. SOS genes in bacteria. 10. Recombination Homologous recombination and site specific recombination. 11. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. General model of regulation. Work of Jacob e Monod on lac operon. Repressors and activators. Arabinose and tryptophan operons. Regulation of termination. The phage lambda as a model for gene regulation 12. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Levels of regulation and signals involved. General organization of eukaryotic promoters. Experimental analysis of promoters. Transcription factors classes and mode of DNA binding. Examples of regulation during Transcription, processing of, transport, stability and translation of mRNAs. Regulation of Galactose genes in yeast. The Stress response and global organization the b-globin promoter. The role the nuclear matrix in gene regulation, chromatin remodelling and methylation. 13.Virus Classification and genome structure. Replication strategies and retroviruses. Gag, pol and env proteins. The identification of viral oncogenes.
Mandatory literature
Watson James D. 070;
Molecular biology of the gene. ISBN: 978-0-321-50781-5
Krebs Jocelyn E.;
Lewin.s Genes X. ISBN: 978-0-7637-7992-4
Russell Peter J.;
iGenetics. ISBN: 0-321-31207-4
Complementary Bibliography
Alberts Bruce;
Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4105-5
Quintas et al.; Bioquímica - Organização Molecular da Vida , Lidel, 2008. ISBN: 9789727574315
Videira Arnaldo 340;
Engenharia genética. ISBN: 972-757-163-8
Lodish Harvey 070;
Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 978-0-7167-7601-7
Teaching methods and learning activities
Theoretical classes: Oral presentation of the themes aided by the projection of slides in power point format. Distribution to students of the pdfs of the slides presented in the classes and the summaries of the classes. Practical classes: Experimental protocols and discussion of the results obtained.
keywords
Health sciences
General programmes > Basic programmes
General programmes > Basic programmes
Natural sciences
Natural sciences > Biological sciences > Biology > Molecular biology
Evaluation Type
Evaluation with final exam
Assessment Components
Designation |
Weight (%) |
Exame |
100,00 |
Total: |
100,00 |
Amount of time allocated to each course unit
Designation |
Time (hours) |
Estudo autónomo |
65,50 |
Frequência das aulas |
56,00 |
Total: |
121,50 |
Eligibility for exams
3/4 pratical classes: 5 pratical classes.
Calculation formula of final grade
The evaluation comprises a written final test which include both the theoretical and the practical parts. The test will have 80% questions related to the theoretical part and 20% related to the practical part.