Mollecular Biology and Biotechnology

Objectives

The main goals of this course are:

1. To understand the fundamentals of molecular biology;

2. To know the main applications of molecular biology in marine scientific research;

3. To know relevant marine biotechnology applications ("blue biotechnology");

4. Ability to apply various laboratory molecular biology techniques;

5. To know how to use bioinformatic tools for the treatment of molecular data.

Program

1. Genome: Structure and organization

2. The genetic code:

DNA Replication

RNA transcription and processing

Proteins: structure and regulation

3. Sources of genetic variability:

Mutation

Recombination

4. Genomics: technology, bioinformatics tools and applications

5. Applications of molecular biology in marine ecology:

Molecular systematics

Phylogeny and phylogeography

Ecological genomics

Dispersal and connectivity

Conservation Genetics

6. Molecular biology techniques:

Methods for preservation of biological samples

Methods for DNA and RNA extraction

DNA amplification by PCR

Visualization of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis

Sanger sequencing

Construction of transcriptomic and genomic libraries for high-throughput sequencing (HTS)

Quantification of gene expression by RT-PCR (qPCR), RNA-Seq

7. Bioinformatic techniques:

DNA sequence analysis

Phylogenetic inference

Bioinformatics tools for the analysis of HTS data

Teaching Methodologies

The contents will be taught based on presential classroom theoretical lectures and also theory-practical ones, using dynamic visual presentations. Explanatory and interrogative methods will be employed to keep the attention and participation of students.

After the classes, the most relevant literature will be made available through the b-learning Moodle platform, which will also be used asynchronously to answer questions and/or give further information. The practical classes will be carried out in the DOP chemistry and molecular biology laboratories, which has the equipment required for the basic techniques.

Bibliography

Geral:

Griffiths, AJF, Wessler, SR, Carroll, SB & Doebley J (2012). Introduction to Genetic Analysis (10th edition). WH Freeman & Co.

Kratz, R.F. (2009). Molecular & Cell Biology for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis.

La Barre, S. & Kornprobst, J.-M., Eds. (2014). Oustanding Marine Molecules. Wiley, VCH, Weinheim.

Se-Kwon, K., Ed. (2015). Springer Handbook of Marine Biotechnology. Springer Publ.

Watson, JD, Baker, TA, Bell, SP, Gann, A, Levine, M & Losick, R (2007). Molecular Biology of the Gene (6th edition). Pearson/Benjamin Cummings/CSHL Press).

Será ainda fornecida bibliografia específica sobre o tema de cada aula.