NBIA04008U Molecular Genetics (MolGen)

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Biology
Content
Principles of genetics and genomics at the molecular level will be explored to give students a solid grasp of the genetic approaches used for solving biological and medical problems. The analysis of eukaryotic genomes encompasses mapping of disease causing mutations and DNA markers (RFLP, RAPD, STS etc) by recombination analyses, and the use of genetic model systems to understand basic biological mechanisms. Topics also include gene mutants in forward and reverse genetics; recombination, gene conversion and repair; gene expression, chromatin and regulation; gene functions and networks plus an introduction to epigenetics and gene databases.
These topics will be studied both theoretically and experimentally in the laboratory. The laboratory exercises use Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system for eukaryotic molecular genetics. The participants will also obtain experience in searching and analyzing gene sequences in databases using the internet, and in reading and presenting original articles that illuminate the above subjects.
Learning Outcome
Large scale genome projects are presently yielding the complete genome DNA sequences of animals, plants and microorganisms across the globe. Assigning functions to the many new genes of these genomes is a major goal in biology today. This information will produce new tools for plant and animal breeders as well as for the medical and biopharmaceutical industry. The overall goal of the course is for students to understand the genetics that underlie modern biology and medicine including the genetics of human diseases, genetic screens and diagnostics. The participants in the course will acquire a solid background in the principles of genetics and get an introduction to the latest developments while integrating genetics and molecular biology.
Participants will develop quantitative, analytical skills with which to interpret experimental data and solve problems in classical and molecular genetics plus epigenetics and genomics. This knowledge will enable the student to subsequently apply the genetic approach to gain an understanding of almost any biological system. Another goal is to train the students in both oral and written presentation of scientific data. This includes practice in (i) how to critically read original literature during group discussions, (ii) oral presentation of seminars based on articles, (iii) preparation and presentation of their own experimental results in poster format and (iv) written evaluation of original articles in the form of a term paper.

Knowledge:
  • The participants in the course will acquire a solid background in the principles of genetics and get an introduction to the latest developments while integrating genetics and molecular biology.
  • The acquired knowledge will enable the student to subsequently apply the genetic approach to gain an understanding of almost any biological system.
  • The laboratory experiments will will give the student practical skills and an understanding of the aim, results and perspectives of the laboratory exercises.


Skills:

  • Participants will develop quantitative, analytical skills with which to interpret experimental data and solve problems in classical and molecular genetics plus epigenetics and genomics.
  • Actively participate in English as a member of the audience in the article training sessions and the poster and article presentations.
  • Present the results of the laboratory exercises in the form of a poster discussing the results and their perspectives.

 

Competencies:

  • The student will be able to solve problems in recombination, mutation, function and regulation of genes and DNA sequences, gene isolation plus gene and genome structure.

    The student will be able to integrate material from various scientific topics and suggest mechanistic models.

    The student will be able to present a scientific article and also act as a questioner/opponent for an scientific article in English.

    The participant will be able to write a paper in English from an assigned article and to obtain and critically interpret the relevant literature.
Literature
See Absalon.
Open to students studying biochemistry, biology, nanotechnology and molecular biomedicine who have passed all first year courses and half of the second year courses (corresponding to a total of 90 ECTS-points) of their curriculum. Other students must have succesfully completed biochemistry and molecular biology courses at the undergraduate level.
Lectures and problem solving
Introduction to articles
Presentatin of articles
Introduction to Laboratory techniques
Laboratory exercises
Summary of experimental results to be presented in poster format at the last session.
Term paper
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 18
  • Exam
  • 4,5
  • Lectures
  • 12
  • Practical exercises
  • 68
  • Preparation
  • 203,5
  • Project work
  • 70
  • Theory exercises
  • 36
  • Total
  • 412,0
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
Oral defence, 30 minutes
The written exam accounts for 75% and the term paper with oral defence for 25% of the grade.
Exam registration requirements
Participation in the paper sessions and the laboratory exercises is obligatory.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed
Text book and course manuals are permitted.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
The oral exam has several internal examiners
Re-exam
If 10 students or less have signed up for the re-exam, the re-exam will be changed to an oral exam consisting of a 30-minute oral examination with 30 minutes preparation with all paper-based aids.
The term paper will account for 25% of the grade.
Criteria for exam assesment
To obtain the top grade, 12
  • Can solve problems in recombination, mutation, function and regulation of genes and DNA sequences, gene isolation plus gene and genome structure as presented in the recommended textbook and supplemented by the lectures, problem solving, articles and laboratory exercises.
  • Can integrate the material from the various topics taught in the course.
  • Complete all laboratory experiments and present the results in the form of a poster, demonstrating an understanding of the aim, results and perspectives of the laboratory exercise.
  • Present an article and/or act as a questioner/opponent for an article in English using PowerPoint, demonstrating an understanding of the experimental methods and results.
  • Actively participate in English as a member of the audience in the article training sessions, the poster and article presentations as well as in the problem solving sessions.
  • Write a term paper in English together with a fellow student starting from an assigned article, demonstrating the ability to obtain and critically interpret the relevant literature. The term paper forms the basis for an individual oral defense of the term paper.