Learning objectives
The course aims to offer basic knowledge of techniques and instrumentation used in molecular biology laboratory. At the end of the course, students will have theoretical, methodical and practical tools available to know how to move in a molecular biology laboratory.
Prerequisites
Course unit content
The course aims to provide specific knowledge in the field of molecular biology techniques. In particular, basic molecular biology techniques used to amplify and identify nucleic acids, clone DNA fragments, isolate and identify proteins as well as techniques that allow modifications to cellular DNA (genome editing) will be presented.
Full programme
EXTRACTION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS. General principles of DNA and RNA extraction. Nucleic acid extraction kits. Enrichment in mRNA. The qualitative and quantitative evaluation of DNA and RNA. Procedures to avoid RNA degradation. The problem of DNA contamination in RNA preparations. Examples of calculation and qualitative evaluation.
Gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins, principles and applications
-PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): principles and applications.
-sequencing (Sanger or Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)).
-DNA manipulation techniques: gene cloning and CRISPR-Cas9
-Hybridization technologies (RNA FISH, DNA FISH, Southern blot, Northern blot, Western Blot)
Bibliography
- - -
Teaching methods
The topics indicated in the program will be presented and discussed during lectures in which Power point presentations will be used.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam on all program topics. During the interview, logical reasoning skills, language skills and the ability to synthesize and abstract concepts will be assessed. The evaluation of the test will be expressed in thirtieths and will be mediated with the evaluations obtained in the Molecular Biology test and in the Applied Biology test for the purposes of defining the overall mark of the integrated course exam.
Other information
