Learning objectives
The course aims to present the basic concept of molecular genetics and show how they are developded from observation and experimentation. The objective of the emphasis on experimental data analysis and on problem is to develop critical skills as well as to impart information.
Prerequisites
Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry
Course unit content
molecular genetics techniques and their applications. Molecular analysis of genes and their products. Analysis of genomes. Molecular genetics for recombinant biotechnology.
Full programme
Techniques of Molecular Genetics. Restriction endonuclease. Ligase. Vectors. Transformation and transfection. Separation and analysis of DNA molecules (density gradient centrifugation, gel electrophoresis, electron microscopy). PCR. Sequencing.
Gene cloning. Cloning strategies: function insertion, complementation of mutation, colony hybridization. Construction and analysis of libraries of DNA and cDNA. From the sequence to the gene, from gene to protein, from the protein to the gene function. The Northern blot analysis. Southern blot. Homologous genes and gene families.
From genes to genomes. The genome projects (sequencing and analysis of genomes). Functions of the genome. The reverse genetics. The gene knock out.
Molecular genetics for recombinant biotechnology. Producing organisms (bacteria, yeasts, mammalian cells). Production strategies.
The forensic genetics. DNA polymorphisms. Techniques of Analysis. Interpretation of results. Issues of law and ethics.
Bibliography
Snustad Simmons Principi di Genetica - Ed Edises
Teaching methods
Each topic will be presented in experimental form, with an atempt to answer the folowing questions: what was the reason for the experiment, how was it carried out, what result did it led to and what is the significance of the results? assessement is by written exam, on the basis of replies to a series of questions set to assess knowledge and logic skills.
Assessment methods and criteria
Written examination
Other information
Class schedule, course materials and exam sessions are available at the website http://scienzebiologiche.unipr.it
