Syllabus: 1. Introduction to the world of DNA and RNA. Historical overview of the main discoveries. Evolution. 2. Structure of DNA and RNA, nucleosides, nucleotides, physical and chemical properties. Primary and secondary structure of nucleic acids, occurrence and function in living organisms. 3. Nucleosides and nucleotides - chemical synthesis, chemistry of esters and anhydrides of phosphorus oxoacids. 4. Biosynthesis and metabolism of nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleic acids. 5. Synthesis of oligonucleotides in solution phase, on solid phase, biosynthesis of nucleic acids. Difference in approach in synthesis of DNA and RNA. 6. Modified nucleobases, modified backbone and modified sugar. Properties and preparation 7. Nucleic acids in biotechnology. PCR, DNA sequence determination, gene cloning, gene synthesis, detection of specific sequences by hybridization. 8. Genes and genome, gene structure, gene families, chromosomes, copying DNA (replication, transcription), mutations, genome repair, DNA recombination. 9. RNA structure and function, typical structural motifs, RNA processing and modification, translation, RNA involved in transport, RNA structure and function in viral systems. 10. Covalent interactions of nucleic acids and small molecules and repair of DNA lesions. 11. Protein-nucleic acids interactions. Features of nucleic acids recognized by proteins, representative recognition motifs, physical aspects of binding proteins to DNA, polymerases. 12. Physical and structural techniques applied to nucleic acids. Spectroscopic methods.
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Blackburn, G.M. et al. Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology.
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Blackburn, M. G., Gait, M. J., Loakes, D., Williams, D. M. (2006). Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology. 3rd Ed.. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Lehninger. Principles of Biochemistry, W. H. Freeman and Co., NY, USA..
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