SHUA13001E Exam in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Advanced Cell Biology

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc in Human Biology - compulsory
Content
This exam finishes the courses "Molecular Biology and Genetics", "Advanced Cell Biology" and "Bioinformatics and Systems Biology"
Approved participation in Molecular Biology and Genetics
Approved participation in Advanced Cell Biology
Approved participation in Bioinformatics and System Biology
Handing-in of a written project on cell biology before the provided project deadline.
The student's total workload for Course in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Course in Advanced Cell Biology, Course in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology and Exam in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Advanced Cell Biology is stated in Exam in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Advanced Cell Biology.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 25
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 20
  • Lectures
  • 82
  • Practical exercises
  • 51
  • Preparation
  • 123
  • Project work
  • 110
  • Total
  • 412
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 1 hour
Oral exam consisting of a Power-Point presentation of the student's cell biology project followed by a discussion and examination of the project and concluding with a general examination of the student's knowledge of the curriculum.
No preparation time.
Exam registration requirements
In relation to "Molecular Biology and Genetics": Approved participation in laboratory
exercises and approved exercise report.

In relation to "Course in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology": Approved participation in laboratory exercises and the subsequent preparation of exercise reports.

In relation to "Advanced Cell Biology": Approved participation in the presentation of articles, laboratory exercises, and the laboratory exercise evaluation.

Punctual handing-in of a written project on a subject of the student's choice.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed
It is allowed to bring the written project for the exam.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period
Week 45
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

  1. Orally present his or her project and in this context compare, combine, critically discuss and put into perspective the individual project elements
  2. Explain a range of elements in cell and molecular biology including their function, objective or mode of action
  3. Compare and summarize the functions of each element and provide a coherent description of cellular and molecular biological processes including a discussion of the role and importance of each element for the cell's or the organism's overall function. 7
  4. Account for and engage in an integrative discussion of:
  • The human genome and the structure of genes
  • Regulation of gene expression
  • Genetic variation, restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism, cytogenetics, gene mapping, functional and positional cloning, mutations and their consequences, genomic imprinting, genetics of sex chromosomes, multi-factorial inheritance, gene diagnostics, and gene therapy
  • Cloning and expression vectors, library screening, Southern blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, DNA sequencing, cytogenetic methods, molecular biological methods for the detection of mutations and transgene animals
  • Structural elements and hierarchies of protein structures
  • Proteasome-mediated degradation
  • Methods for the detection and characterization of proteins
  • The protein and lipid composition and the structural organisation of biomembranes including type of cellular organelles
  • Membrane transport, including demonstration of knowledge of uniport transport of glucose and water, co-transport via symporters and antiporters, ATP-driven pumps, non-gated ion channels and membrane potentials
  • Transport of proteins to membranes and organelles, including demonstration of knowledge of transport of secretory proteins across the ER membrane, insertion of proteins in the ER membrane, folding, modification and quality assessment of ER proteins, selection of proteins for mitochondria and transport of proteins in and out of the cell core
  • Techniques for the study of protein secretion
  • Fundamental mechanisms of intracellular vesicular transport
  • The secretory pathway (through the ER, via the Golgi apparatus to lysosomes or plasma membrane)
  • The mechanisms behind receptor-mediated endocytosis
  • The mechanisms behind lysosomal degradation
  • Signal transduction, including demonstration of knowledge of the concepts of primary and secondary messsengers and of the function and regulation of GTPases, kinases and phosphatases
  • Signalling through G protein coupled receptors, including receptors activating or inhibiting adenylate cylases, and receptors activating phospholipase C
  • Signalling which controls gene expression, including signalling via the TGF-smad signalling pathway, the JAK-STAT pathway, receptor tyrosine kinases, and activation and signalling via the Ras-MAPK pathway, phosphoinositides and 7TM receptors, and signalling pathways involving signal-induced protein splitting
  • Components and function of the actincytoskeleton, including actinpolymer dynamics, formation of actin filaments, transport along actin filaments, myosin structure and function
  • Function of the actin cytoskeleton in connection with cell migration
  • Structure and organisation of tubulin, and microtubule dynamics
  • Microtubule-based motor proteins and the function of microtubuli during cell division
  • Structure and function of intermediary filaments
  • Components of cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, including various forms of cell adhesion molecules
  • Components of the extracellular matrix
  • Regulation of the cell cycle, including knowledge of cell cycle phases, cyclins and cycline-dependant kinases
  • Origins and types of stem cells
  • Regulation of programmed cell death
  • Cancer, including the origin of cancer, the multi-hit model, the difference between benign and malignant tumours, metastasizing, the genetic basis for cancer, including oncogenes and tumour suppressor proteins
  • Structure and function of neurones and brain cells
  • Fundamental mechanisms such as synaptic transmission and action potentials
  • Structure and function of the synapsis and various neurotransmitters
  • Neurotrophic factors and their role in signalling and brain functions