Molecular Biology C
Code
10521
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
3.0
Teacher in charge
Ana Madalena Peres de Drumond Ludovice Mendes Gomes, Ilda Maria Barros dos Santos Gomes Sanches
Weekly hours
3
Total hours
27
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The objective of this discipline is the integration of basic knowledge about the synthesis, structure and function of nucleic acids and regulation of gene expression. Also, to encourage awareness of the different applications of the molecular biology and interdisciplinarity with other sciences. To familiarize students with basic concepts and fundamentals of methods of nucleic acids manipulation and analysis and to use databases, such as of nucleic acid or protein sequences.
Prerequisites
Theoretical-practical lectures are mandatory with participation in problem solving sessions
Subject matter
Lectures: Topic 1 DNA-Chromosomes-Genome: Concepts of structure and function of DNA, chromosomes and genomes. Topic 2 From DNA to protein: Fundamentals of the mechanisms of transcription and translation. Topic 3 DNA Replication, Repair and Recombination: Chemistry of DNA synthesis. Replication enzymes (DNA polymerases, transcriptases, reverse transcriptases). The concept of spontaneous versus induced mutation and brief introduction with examples of DNA repair systems. Mechanisms of replication of circular and linear DNA molecules
Theoretical-practical classes: Overview of different methods and techniques of isolation and analysis of nucleic acids and applications
Bibliography
Alberts B., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., Walter P. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th ed.). Garland Science
Teaching method
Lectures of 1.5 h duration and theoretical and practical lessons of 2h duration in rooms with data-show and internet
Evaluation method
The theoretical and practical-theoretical contents are evaluated by two written tests (70% of final grade) performed individually and 4 quizzes (20% of final grade) performed by groups of students independently and online (moodle) and assessment along the theoretical-practical classes - active participation during class, problem solving, interpretation of experimental results, carried out by groups of students (10% of final grade).