Courses list

Wersja polska

Course code: BSRS10018o15
Semester: 2015/2016 winter
Name: Molecular biology
Major: (Biotechnologia stosowana roślin)
Study Type: first cycle
Course type: compulsory
Study Semester: 3
ECTS points: 4
Hours (Lectures / Tutorials / Other): 15 / 30 / 0
Lecturer: prof. dr ha. Jan Szopa-Skórkowski
Language of instruction: Polish


Learning outcomes: The knowledge The student has a general knowledge of: mathematical analysis, statistics, biophysics, chemistry and biochemistry, which enables to descript correctly biological phenomena. The student has basic knowledge concerning natural phenomena including the physiological, cellular and molecular basis of the plant organism functioning. The student has the knowledge of the structure and functioning of plant genomes. The student has a knowledge of basic techniques and tools used in genetic research and biotechnology. The skills The student has ability to analyze the molecular and cellular mechanisms of plant organisms function. The student can perform simple research experiments in the field of biology and plant biotechnology. The student can apply the basic techniques and research tools in the field of biology and plant biotechnology experiments. The student uses specialized terminology in Polish or other language. The student has ability to present both orally and in writing the results of experiments in the field of the natural sciences with the correct documentation.

Competences: The student can work in the group taking different roles, being responsible for its own work and whole group. The student is aware of the importance of the impact of plant biotechnology on the environment and quality of human’s life. The student knows the risks of professional and ethical responsibility while using on plants methods of molecular biology and genetic engineering. The student is aware of responsibility for the equipment and devices. The student shall apply the principles of health and safety at work. The student should have a basic knowledge of the organization of the cell, biochemistry of proteins and nucleic acids, knowledge of work in biochemical laboratory, basic laboratory skills such as preparation of solutions, precise pipetting and work with microorganisms.

Prerequisites:

Course content: Nucleic acids metabolism, the topology of nucleic acids, methods of studying the structure and organization of nucleic acids, DNA replication and transcription. Diversity of plant genes and genomes. The stability of the genome. Mechanisms of the transcriptome, poteome and methylome regulation. Regulation of gene expression by microRNAs, interference RNA (siRNA), DNA methylation and histone modification. The cell cycle, programmed cell death, autophagy. Adaptation of plant cells and organisms to environmental changes at the genetic and epigenetic level. The practical part: - Restriction analysis of the genome of plant cells terminally differentiated and dedifferentiated, and response to biotic and abiotic factors; - Preparation of gene constructs containing plant genes and reporter genes; - Expression of recombinant plant proteins and their deletion mutants in bacteria; - Analysis of the impact of plant recombinant proteins and their mutants synthesized in bacteria on the bacterial genomic DNA; - Monitoring gene expression in response to environmental changes (reporter genes).

Recommended literature: The source material: Molecular Biology of the Cell (B. Alberts); Molecular Cell Biology (Lodish at al.); Molecular cloning. Laboratory manual (Sambrook et al.); Molecular Ecotoxicology of Plants, Springer, 2004; Plant Transposons and Genome Dynamics in Evolution, Agritech Publications, (N. V. fedorff, Ed.), 2013; Current literature. Materials from the lectures and laboratory exercises are obligatory.

Assessment methods: The exam: written (test); laboratory exercises: tests, report Active participation in the classes. Student can explain the basic concepts of genetics. Social components. Evaluation of the effects of team-work. Completion of the course implicates the student the need for learning throughout lifetime in order to improve their skills in using the achievements of genetics.

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