AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Fundamental Knowledge

• Understand the Nature of Genetic Material: Acquire a solid understanding of DNA structure and the concept of a gene as the basis of hereditary information.
• Analyze Genome Maintenance Processes: Describe the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including key enzymes and fidelity control systems.
• Explain the Flow of Genetic Information: Illustrate the processes of RNA transcription and maturation (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) and the general mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in various organisms.
• Interpret the Genetic Code and Protein Synthesis: Comprehend the genetic code and describe in detail the translation of genetic information into proteins, in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• Recognize Levels of Gene Expression Regulation: Analyze the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of gene expression, including regulatory RNAs and their roles.
• Identify Genetic Recombination Mechanisms: Explain the processes of genetic recombination (site-specific and homologous) and transposition, understanding their biological significance.
• Know the Genetic Specificities of Organelles: Describe the peculiarities of mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA and their evolutionary and applied implications.

Skills and Autonomy

• Correlate Structure and Function: Connect the structure of biological molecules to their roles in the fundamental processes of molecular biology.
• Analyze and Interpret Diagrams: Develop the ability to read and interpret diagrams of metabolic pathways and complex genetic processes.
• Communicate Scientific Concepts: Use appropriate scientific language to describe and explain molecular biology phenomena.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

ourse Topics

DNA structure. The concept of a gene.

Molecular mechanisms of DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases (structure, functions, nuclease activities), DNA primase, helicase. Control of replication fidelity. Okazaki fragments, RNase H; DNA ligase; mechanisms of replication initiation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, DNA A, the replicator, the initiator, the role of CDKs in controlling replication initiation. Replication termination in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; topoisomerase in bacteria and telomerase in eukaryotes.

Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; promoters, transcription factors in bacteria; RNA polymerases in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; moderator; transcription termination; overall management of transcription in living organisms. Transcriptional control through the operon.

Messenger RNA maturation in eukaryotes; 5' capping; polyadenylation, autosplicing of type 1 and 2 introns; splicing and primary and secondary spliceosome; alternative splicing. rRNA; tRNA synthesis; aminoacyl tRNA synthesis and aminoacyl tRNA synthetases.

The genetic code: its discovery and classic experiments that led to its definition. Translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression; regulatory RNAs in bacteria, riboswitches; RNAi; miRNA, siRNA; long non-coding RNAs.

Site-specific recombination and recombinases; VDJ recombination. Homologous recombination.

DNA transposons. Retrotransposons, LINEs, SINEs, and poly-A retrotransposons.

Mitochondrial DNA and chloroplast DNA. Evolution, replication, transcription, and translation. Structural and functional characteristics. The use of mitochondrial DNA in forensic genetics. Restriction enzymes. Mechanism of action in nature in bacteria. Xenobiology, overview.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD