Recombinant DNA Technology

Recommended Prerequisites

All areas of life sciences. 

Teaching Methods

Exposing lectures. Discussion of case studies. Problems solving.

Learning Outcomes

Provide knowledge on Molecular Biotechnology (genetic engineer), namely on clonal techniques and strategies, amplification and characterization of DNA, design of expression vectors and protein engineering.

From the gathered competences, it will result:

- Perform fundamental and applied research in the biomedical area

- Development, production and control of biotechnological medicines.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Historical perspective Molecular Biotechnology

Recombinant DNA technology: basic concepts

Restriction endonucleases: definiton, examples and applications

Cloning plasmidic vectors: definition, properties and examples

Procariotic transformation

Clonal strategies and selection

Large scale production of plasmids

Clonal characterization

DNA amplification by chain polimerization reaction (PCR); design and DNA sequencing techniques.

Introduction to the concept of complementar DNA (cDNA); importance of RT-PCR

Vectors for cloning of large DNA fragments

Control of gene expression in procariotic and eucariotic systems; regulatable promotors

Fusion proteins; design and applications

Head Lecturer(s)

Sérgio Paulo Magalhães Simões

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 15.0%
Clipping: 20.0%
Exam: 30.0%
Project: 35.0%

Bibliography

• Glick BR and Pasternak JJ, Molecular Biotechnology, Principles and Applications of Recombinant DNA (3rd edition), ASM Press, Washington, 2003.

• Sambrook J and Russel DW, Molecular cloning, A laboratory manual (3rd edition) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 2001.

• Walsh, G, Biopharmaceuticals: Biochemistry and Biotechnology, John Wiley  and Sons, New York, 2002.

• Videira, A, Engenharia genética. Princípios e Aplicações, Lidel, Lisboa, 2001.