Molecular Biology

Credits
6
Types
Compulsory
Requirements
This subject has not requirements , but it has got previous capacities
Department
UB;UPF
Mail
rosa.martinez-corral@upf.edu
This course covers the molecular basis of the maintenance and expression of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. Topics covered in this course include: gene regulation, DNA replication, genetic recombination, RNA processing, and translation.

The course will combine theoretical sessions with seminars and computer practice.

Teachers

Person in charge

Others

Weekly hours

Theory
2
Problems
2
Laboratory
0
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
6

Competences

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

  • K1 - Recognize the basic principles of biology, from cellular to organism scale, and how these are related to current knowledge in the fields of bioinformatics, data analysis, and machine learning; thus achieving an interdisciplinary vision with special emphasis on biomedical applications.
  • K6 - Recognize the ethical problems that arise from advances in the knowledge and in the application of biological concepts and their computational processing.

    • Skills

  • S6 - Identify and interpret relevant data, within the area of study, to make judgments that include social, scientific or ethical reflections.
  • S8 - Make decisions, and defend them with arguments, in the resolution of problems in the areas of biology, as well as, within the appropriate fields, health sciences, computer sciences and experimental sciences.
  • S9 - Exploit biological and biomedical information to transform it into knowledge; in particular, extract and analyze information from databases to solve new biological and biomedical problems.

    • Competences

  • C6 - Detect deficiencies in the own knowledge and overcome them through critical reflection and the choice of the best action to expand this knowledge.
  • C7 - Detect, from within the scope of the degree, inequalities based on sex and gender in society; integrate the different needs and preferences based on sex and gender in the design of solutions and problem solving.

    • Objectives

    1. 1. To acquire biological knowledge from the cellular to the organismal level, with an interdisciplinary vision and special emphasis on biomedical applications.
      2. To manage and exploit all kinds of biological and biomedical information to transform it into knowledge.
      3. To demonstrate knowledge, skills and appropriate practices in the area of the biology of organisms and biosystems.
      Related competences: C6, C7, K1, K6, S6, S8, S9,
    2. 1. That the students have demonstrated to have acquired the knowledge and understanding in a field of study that starts from the basis of general secondary education, and is typically at a level that although it is supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that involve knowledge of the forefront of their field of study.
      2. That the students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and defending arguments and solving problems within their field of study.
      3. That the students can convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
      4. That the students will acquire an intra- and interdisciplinary training in both computational and scientific subjects with a solid basic training in biology.
      Related competences: C6, C7,

    Contents

    1. Theory
      1. Replication (Replication enzymes, Replication fork, Replication in Eukaryotes, Replication in Procaryotes)
      2. Chromatin structure and organisation.
      3. DNA recombination and repair (DNA mismatch repair, Double strand break repair, Homologous Recombination, Meiotic Recombination)
      4. Cell cycle regulation, mitosis and meiosis.
      5. Transcription (Transcription in procaryotes, Transcription in eukaryotes, Regulation of transcription)
      6. RNA processing
      7. Translation
    2. Seminars
      Presentation and discussion of scientific articles to delve deeper into the concepts worked on throughout the course.
    3. Practical work
      Computer labs covering various topics: fundamentals of PCR and CRISPR, sequencing data visualisation, mathematical modelling of molecular regulatory processes.

    Activities

    Activity Evaluation act


    Theory

    1. Replication (Replication enzymes, Replication fork, Replication in Eukaryotes, Replication in Procaryotes) 2. Chromatin Assembly 3. DNA recombination and repair (DNA mismatch repair, Double strand break repair, Homologous Recombination, Meiotic Recombination) 4. Transcription (Transcription in procaryotes, Transcription in eukaryotes, Regulation of transcription) 5. RNA processing 6. Translation
    Objectives: 1 2
    Contents:
    Theory
    30h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    35h

    Seminars


    Objectives: 1 2
    Contents:
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    14h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    35h

    Computer labs


    Objectives: 1 2
    Contents:
    Theory
    0h
    Problems
    16h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    20h

    Teaching methodology

    1. Lectures
    2. Work based on scientific articles
    3. Computer work, involving data analysis and simulations of mathematical models

    Evaluation methodology

    Short tests at the beginning of the theoretical lessons - 15%.
    Midterm exam - 20%
    Presentation and discussion of articles - 15%
    Final exam - 50%

    To successfully pass this course, the student's final grade must be at least 5 out of 10. If the student does not pass this threshold, he or she will have to take a make-up exam, the grade of which will replace that of the subject.

    Cheating in any exam implies failure of the subject.

    Bibliography

    Basic

    Previous capacities

    The course assumes very basic Python programming.