tructure of prokaryotic cell. Structure of eucaryotic cell. Mitosis. Meiosis. The genetic material. DNA replication. The flux of genetic information: transcription. The flux of genetic information: translation. The beginning of Genetics. Mutations. Bacterial genetics. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Regulation of gene expression in viruses. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Gene cloning. Population genetics.
Laboratory. Extraction of plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli c
Peter J. Russell
Genetics. A molecular approach
Third Edition
Learning Objectives
Knolewdge acquired (at the end of the course):
Genetic terminology. Knowledge of basic genetics at cell, organism and population level. Understanding the role of gene regulation in viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes. Knowledge of molecular mechanisms responsible for genetic variability and evolution.
Competence acquired (at the end of the course):
Principles of genetic analysis: Mendel. Population genetics: allelic frequencies and evolution of populations. The flux of genetic information. Regulation of gene expression in Viruses, Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Mechanisms responsible for the generation of genetic variability: mutations, recombination, horizontal gene transfer.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
The course provides the basic knowledge for the
the application of genetic methods to the understanding of biological and biochemical issues. Use of mutants and genetic crosses in model organisms. Usage of genetic models for studying the regulation of gene expression . Comprehension of the evolutionary processes and mechanisms and forces driving the evolution of (micro)organisms.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses required: None
Courses recommmended:
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 225 (25x 9)
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities:
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 64
Contact hours for: Laboratory (hours): 16
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/practice (hours): 0
Seminars (hours): 0
Stages: 0
Intermediate examinations: 0
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
Lectures (two hours long) three times in the week. Highly recommended
Teaching tools
Additional teaching material will be provided during lectures.
Type of Assessment
Exam modality:
Oral examination
Programme (short version for Diploma supplement):
tructure of prokaryotic cell. Structure of eucaryotic cell. Mitosis. Meiosis. The genetic material. DNA replication. The flux of genetic information: transcription. The flux of genetic information: translation. The beginning of Genetics. Mutations. Bacterial genetics. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Regulation of gene expression in viruses. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Gene cloning. Population genetics.
Laboratory. Extraction of plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli cells. Trasformation of Bacillus subtilis competent cells with genomic DNA
Course program
Course Contents (detailed programme):
Structure of prokaryotic cell
Structure of eucaryotic cell
Mitosis
Meiosis
The genetic material
The Griffith experiment
The Avery, MacLeod e McCarthy experiment
The Hershey e Chase experiment
The structure of DNA (Watson e Crick)
The structure of viral chromosomes
The structure of prokaryotic chromosomes
The structure of eucaryotic chromosomes
DNA replication
The Meselson e Stahl experiment
DNA replication in prokaryotes and eucaryotes
The flux of genetic information: transcription
Transcription in prokaryotes
The tructure of prokaryotic genes
Transcription in eucaryotes
The tructure of eukaryotic genes: introns, exons, splicing, the Chambon experiment, the biological significance of introns
The flux of genetic information: translation
The amino acids
The structure of proteins
The genetic code; codons and anticodons, ribosomal RNA ribosomale and transfer RNA
The phases of translation: the beginning, elongation and termination
Differences between prokariotes and eucariotes: the trascription- translation coupling in prokaryotic cells
The beginning of Genetics
The Mendel's Laws
Mutations
Different types of mutations
Spontaneous mutations
Mutations induced by physical and/or chemical agents
The pyrimidine dimers and repair systems
The origin of mutations: pre- and post-adaptive mutations; the fluctuation test and replica-plating
Bacterial genetics
Transduction (specialized and generalized)
Transformation
Conjugation
Cell fusion
Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes
The lac operon
The trp operon
Regulons
Regulation of gene expression in viruses
The bacteriophage lambda
Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes
Gene cloning
Plasmids and restriction enzymes
Population genetics
Laboratory
Extraction of plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli cells
Trasformation of Bacillus subtilis competent cells with genomic DNA