Molecular Biology C
Code
10521
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Ciências da Vida
Credits
3.0
Teacher in charge
Rosario Mato Labajos, Sérgio Joaquim Raposo Filipe
Weekly hours
3
Total hours
25
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, Mutation, 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. Control of gene expression (lactose operon).
Theoretical-practical classes: Overview of different methods and techniques of isolation and analysis of nucleic acids and applications. Problem solving and analysis of laboratory results.
Bibliography
Molecular Biology of the Cell. Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter, 6h Edition, 2008, Garland Science, Taylor & Francis Group, NY.
Benjamin Lewin (2007). Genes IX. Jones and Bartlet Publishers.
Teaching method
Lectures of 1.5 h duration and theoretical and practical lessons of 2h duration in rooms with data-show and internet.