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Biomedical Sciences
Applied Molecular Biology

Applied Molecular Biology

Code	13511
Year	1
Semester	S1
ECTS Credits	6
Workload	TP(60H)
Scientific area	Biomedical Sciences
Entry requirements	Not applicable
Mode of delivery	Face-to face
Work placements	Not applicable
Learning outcomes	This course unit gives students an overall perspective in molecular biology and its applications, with a strong practical component, in order to acquire skills in scientific research, molecular diagnosis, and forensic science. By the end of this course the students must be able: 1–To describe the chemical and biological bases underlying the techniques of molecular biology and their practical application; 2–To describe the techniques for isolation and manipulation of nucleic acids; 3–To describe the methods for analysis of gene expression and its applications; 4–To execute the main techniques of molecular biology: DNA isolation, PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction and cloning; 5-To integrate the advanced concepts of molecular biology and to apply them to forensic sciences and to molecular diagnostic, planning experiments with critical spirit.
Syllabus	THEORETICAL 1. Molecules of Molecular Biology: nucleic acids and proteins. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic genome 2. Isolation of DNA and RNA 3. Nucleic acids manipulation: Electrophoresis; PCR; Nucleases and modification enzymes; Cloning vectors and recombinant molecules; DNA sequencing; Identification of genes from banks 4. Expression of genes and proteins: RT-PCR and real-time PCR; Hybridization, blotting, In situ hybridization; Subtractive hybridizations and DNA microarrays; Next Generation RNA Sequencing, Western blot and immunocytochemistry 5. Applications of Molecular Biology: Genetic markers; DNA fingerprint and forensic sciences; Nucleic acid analysis and molecular diagnosis; Small RNAs; Genome Edition technology: CRISPR-Cas. PRACTICES (laboratory classes): Isolation of total RNA from rat liver; cDNA synthesis; PCR and electrophoresis; Cloning into a suitable vector for PCR products; E.coli transformation; Preparation of pDNA; Restriction and analysis of digestion products.
Main Bibliography	1.Required -Benjamin A. Pierce. “Genetics - A Conceptual Approach”, 7th Edition, 2020. W. H. Freeman Publisher - Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. “Molecular Cell Biology”. 4th or 5th Ed. New York: W. H. Freeman, 2021 -Alberts B., Bray D., Hopkin K. et al, “Fundamentos de Biologia Celular”. 4th Ed. Artmed, 2017. 2.Recommended -José Luque, Angel Herraez “Biologia Molecular e Ingenieria Genética”- Conceptos, técnicas y Aplicaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Elsevier, 2006 - Carlos Azevedo,“Biologia Celular e Molecular”, , 4ªEd, Lidel, 2005 -“Cell Biology”,3th Ed ; A Laboratory Handbook ; Edited by: Julio E. Celis, Copyright, Elsevier Inc., 2006 - PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ -Blast: http://blast.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Blast.cgi
Language	Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.