Course detail
Molecular Biology
FSI-TBI Acad. year: 2021/2022 Winter semester
Basic terms of molecular biology. Chemical properties, structure and interactions of nucleic acids and proteins. Methods of biomacromolecules studies, genomics, proteomics, molecular diagnostics. Biosensors, nanotechnology applications in biomacromolecules studies.
Supervisor
Department
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course facilitates a choice of a diploma project by a student and provides him/her basic knowledge on molecular biology as well as interdisciplinary themes at frontiers of molecular biology, physical and analytical chemistry, biophysics, nanosciences and biomedical applications.
Prerequisites
Basics of physics, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry and general biology
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is taught through lectures explaining the basic principles and theory of the discipline. Exercises are focused on practical topics presented in lectures. Teaching is suplemented by practical laboratory work.
Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes
The assessment of a student is made upon his performance in practice and quality of a discussion on topics selected at the examination (lecture notes allowed at preparation).
Language of instruction
Czech
Aims
Educate the students in basics or molecular biology, particularly in properties of nucleic acids and proteins. The emphases will be put to physico-chemical properties of biopolymers and utilization of these properties in bioanalytical applications, biosensors and nanotechnologies.
Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences
The presence of students at practice is obligatory and is monitored by a tutor. The way how to compensate missed practice lessons will be decided by a tutor depending on the range and content of the missed lessons.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-FIN-P: Physical Engineering and Nanotechnology, Bachelor's
branch ---: no specialisation, 5 credits, compulsory-optional
Type of course unit
Lecture
39 hours, optionally
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Definition of the molecular biology subject. From atoms and molecules to living cells. Nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, polysaccharides. Chemical nature of biomacromolecules, basic interaction types. Organized structures, membranes, organelles, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. (0-6 lessons)
Structure and interactions of nucleic acids. DNA double helix. Left-handed DNA, hairpins, triplexes, tetraplexes. DNA supercoiling. Replication, transcription, recombination. Chemical reactivity of nucleic acids, non-covalent interactions. DNA damage and repair, mutagenesis. Nucleic acids-processing enzymes. RNAs and their biological functions. (7-20 lessons)
Methods of the nucleic acids studies. Optical methods, electrophoresis, Southern and northern blotting, DNA sequencing, DNA hybridization, PCR, enzymatic and chemical probes of DNA structure, DNA footprinting. Recombinant DNA. Synthetic analogues of nucleic acids, DNA labeling. Biosensors, gene chips, genomics. Electrochemistry of nucleic acids, interactions with electrically charged surfaces. Aptamers. Nanotechnology in nucleic acids analysis. (21-28 lessons)
Proteins. Amino acids, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Conjugated proteins. Genetic code and proteosynthesis. Denaturation and aggregation of proteins. Protein engineering. Nucleic acids-protein interactions. (29-34 lessons)
Methods of protein studies. Optical methods, electrophoresis, western blotting, immunochemical techniques. Chemical probes, protein sequencing. Proteomics, 2D electrophoresis, mass spectrometry. Protein chips, immunosensors, enzyme sensors. Protein electrochemistry; conjugated proteins bearing reversible redox centers and non-conjugated proteins, catalytic hydrogen evolution on mercury and amalgam electrodes. Nanotechnology in protein analysis. (35-39 lessons)
Laboratory exercise
6 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
Practical demonstrations of methods of the nucleic acids and protein analysis in laboratories of the Institute of Biophysics, ASCR, v.v.i.
Exercise
20 hours, compulsory
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Discussion of lectured themes, practicing, solving worked examples.