The understanding of fundamentals theoretical of the main techniques of molecular biology, the use of molecular biology techniques in the both basic research and in applied research, the recognition of its importance in the study of genetic variability are essential resources to those who plan to work in research or molecular biology either molecular genetics, and important for the professional biologist in general. Are the learning outcomes of this course:
1. Cognize basic concepts and terminology of the main techniques of molecular biology.
2. Describe and understand the applicability of the main techniques of molecular biology.
3. Perform the basic techniques of detection and analysis of proteins and nucleic acids in order to cover different levels of a research in molecular biology and genetics.
4. Collect and correlate the information obtained and knowing how to present in the form of a scientific report.
The syllabus of the subject is divided into themes to develop one or more classes:
1. Good practices and safe practices in the molecular biology laboratories
2. Provide training with the basic equipment and techniques to be used in the laboratory
3. Description of genetic polymorphism of proteins by electrophoresis techniques (SGE, AGE and IEF)
4. Methods of DNA extraction (using different protocols)
5. DNA electrophoresis on agarose gel
6. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA amplification by PCR
7. Restricting the amplified DNA (using restriction enzymes)
8. Application of various types of molecular genetic markers
9-.DNA sequencing (reading of sequencing gels)
10. Other techniques of Molecular Biology
In each class the theoretical-practical hour is expository with projection that introduces the topic to be developed during class, will present the method and the technique applied in the practical part. The laboratory component will cover a series of experiments done by students, organized in groups, by providing protocols. During performing the experiments will be presented and discussed the basic concepts and terms related to molecular biology techniques. The first practice session will be entirely dedicated to handling the basics equipment to use in the following class. In the beginning of each classes will be given directions on how to research appropriate literature on the topics.
Bartlett J.M.S. & Stirling D., 2003. PCR Protocols, 2nd Ed., Humana Press, New Jersey.
Hartl D. & Jones E.W., 2009. Genetics. Analysis of genes and genomes, 9th Ed., Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Boston.
Lima N. & Mota M. (Ed), 2003. Biotecnologia: fundamentos e aplicações. Lidel – Edições Técnicas, Lda., Lisboa.
Ausubel F. M., et. al. (Ed), 2002. Short protocols in molecular biology: a compendium of methods from current protocols in molecular biology, 5th Ed. (2 volumes), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New Jersey.
Tagu D. & Moussard C., 2006. Techniques for molecular biology. Taylor and Francis Group, Science Publishers, New Hampshire.
Watson J.D., Baker T.A., Bell S.P. & Gann A., 2008. Molecular Biology of the gene, 5th Ed., Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Winfrey M.R., Rott M.A. & Wortman A.T., 1997. Unraveling DNA: molecular biology for the laboratory. Prentice Hall, Inc., New Jersey.
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