Molecular Biology

Recommended Prerequisites

Cellular and Molecular Biology (basic level). 

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodologies in this curricular unit include:

• lectures.
• problem-solving classes.

Learning Outcomes

This course complement the skills provided in curricula unit of Cell Biology. The program includes the following topics: the basic concepts of molecular biology, knowledge of the genome, the mechanisms of expression and transmission of genetic information, and the fundamentals and applications of recombinant DNA, genetic manipulation, production of genetically modified organisms and products for medical purposes

The central goal of this curricula unit is the study of the following topics:

i) molecular mechanisms involved in replication, transcription and translation in eukaryote and prokaryote cells;

ii) regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes;

iii) genetic mutations and cellular systems repair and recombination of DNA;

iv) manipulation and cloning of DNA, and applications of recombinant DNA;

v) procedures for genetic manipulation for the production of genetically modified organisms;

vi) human genome project and the mapping of genes: objectives and applications.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Lectures

1. DNA and chromosomes

2. DNA replication

3. DNA to Protein

4. Genetic mutations and DNA repair

5. Genetic Recombination

6. Regulation of expression and function of genes: control of gene expression in cells and organisms

7. Genetic manipulation of cells and organisms: production of genetically modified organisms and products for therapeutic purposes

 

Restriction enzymes. Construction of restriction maps

Chain reaction (PCR): principles and applications

Hybridization of nucleic acids

Detection of mutations and DNA fingerprinting

DNA sequencing: laboratory methodology and applications

Construction of DNA libraries: laboratory methodology and applications

Methodology Southern and Northern Blotting: application

Study of protein binding to DNA: laboratory methodologies

Fusion proteins: laboratory methodology and applications

Methodology of gene transfer to cells

Amplification of a DNA fragment by cloning in a host cell

Analysis of DNA array technology: applications

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria Celeste Fernandes Lopes

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: Theoretical component (70%): written exam and problem-solving classes (30%): written exam : 100.0%

Bibliography

Bibliografia Principal/ Bibliography:

Bruce Alberts et al., “Molecular Biology of the Cell”. Garland Publishing, Inc., 5th edition.

Geoffrey Cooper and Robert Hausman. “The Cell: a molecular approach”. ASM Press 6th edition.

Lodish et al.,”Molecular Cell Biology”. Harvey Scientific American books, 4th edition.

Informação científica e didática em artigos nacionais e internacionais / Lecture notes or articles will be supplied whenever needed.