Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Molecular Biology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Dr. Miguel Baena: mbaena@uic.es
(Basic Sciences Department)
Introduction
Over the last decades, molecular biology has gone through the most unbelievable and dramatic revolution by far more important than any other scientific discipline. Biology, and, as a consequence, medicine, have to be reconceived by using the new tools, technologies and all the new knowledge brought by molecular and cellular biology as well as by biochemistry, physics, and mathematics.
Pre-course requirements
Prerequisites are not required
Objectives
The most important objective of the subject is to achieve a strong conceptual base and acquire the ability to evaluate the current state of scientific knowledge of the different topics of Molecular Biology. The student will be provided with the essential scientific knowledge to understand the gene function and its implications in the molecular basis of the disease.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- Recognize the molecular foundations that explain transcriptional and post-transcriptional phenomena in eukaryotes in the adult phase and in their development, as well as the basic genetic principles that define the bases of genetic inheritance.
- Recognize the basic biological concepts and the proper language of the biomedical sciences in the state of health.
- To know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the elaboration and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study
- That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific or ethical nature
- Develop the capacity of organization and planning appropriate to the moment.
- Understand experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements
- To Know how to communicate, make presentations and write scientific papers.
- Apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- Apply the scientific method.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, the student:
- Know the molecular bases and mechanisms of the flow of genetic information and its regulation.
- Know the mechanisms of storage and processing of genetic information.
- Solve exercises and problems raised during the course
- Know the basic methodology used in Molecular Biology
- Understand the results presented in an easy-to-read scientific article
Syllabus
Topic 1: Introduction to Molecular Biology. Molecular Biology in Biomedicine.
Topic 2: Molecular evolution of the cell. Proteins as machines.
Topic 3: Structure and function of nucleic acids.
Topic 4: Composition and structure of chromatin.
Topic 5: Molecular biology of the gene.
Topic 6: DNA replication.
Topic 7: Mutation and DNA repair.
Topic 8: Transcription.
Topic 9: Transcriptional regulation.
Topic 10: Translation.
Topic 11: Post-translational modifications.
Topic 12: Signaling pathways that control gene activity.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lecture (Master class, CM): Explanation of a theoretical topic by the instructor, for 2 hours.
Case methods (MC): Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the problem in small groups and later in class, the answers are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, explains new knowledge to the students.
Practical (P): Experimental demonstration in the laboratory about concepts studied in theoretical classes. Familiarization with the most frequent experimental techniques used at a biochemistry laboratory.
Virtual Education (EV): Online material that the student can consult from any computer, at any time and that will contribute to self-learning concepts related to the subject
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The average grade will be calculated taking into account the different evaluable activities that will be carried out throughout the course:
- Partial exam: 20 %.
- Practical exam: 10 %.
- Final exam: 60 %.
- Case Methods: 10 %.
To pass the course it is essential:
- Grade > 5 in the final exam.
- Grade > 5 in the average of the course.
Aspects to take into account:
- Attendance at practicals is compulsory. Unexcused absence to a practice session will imply -0.5 points less in the total grade of the course. Unexcused absence to 2 or more practice sessions will result in automatic failure of the course.
- Attendance to all case methods is not mandatory, but unexcused absence to a CM will mean a 0 in the grade of that particular CM. The accumulation of 4 or more 0's for unexcused absences in the MCs, will mean an automatic failure in this part of the subject (equivalent to 10% of the total grade of Molecular Biology).
- In order to pass the course, it is essential to pass the final exam with a minimum grade of 5. Once this grade is obtained, it is necessary to get an average grade of at least 5 in the total of the course in order to pass it.
- Repeating students are NOT obliged to repeat the practicals or the MCs, since the grade of the previous course is kept.
- In the case of repeating students, it is not necessary to repeat the partial exam; in this case, the final exam is worth 80% of the total of the course.
Bibliography and resources
Alberts, B et al. Biología Molecular de la Célula. 6ª edición. Ediciones Omega 2016.
Lodish et al. Biología Celular y Molecular. 7ª edición. Editorial Médica Panamericana S.A. 2016.
C.K. Mathews, K.E. Van Holde y K.G. Ahern (2002) Bioquímica. 3ª Edición. Pearson Educación.
Evaluation period
- E1 10/01/2024 A16 14:00h
- R1 22/01/2024 A16 16:00h