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Lecturer(s)
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Škrabišová Mária, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Fellner Martin, prof. RNDr. Ph.D.
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Zalabák David, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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1. Cells and genomes. Definition of genome, gene, gene types. DNA, RNA and the central dogma of molecular biology. Evolution of genes and organisms. Tree of Life. Gene and genome sizes. Model organisms. 2. DNA and chromosomes.Structure of DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure of eukaryotic chromosomes, chromatin deposition levels. Histones, their function in nucleosomes, replication and transcription. Heterochromatin, euchromatin, centromer and telomeres. 3. DNA replication, repair and recombination. The principle of DNA replication, control mechanisms. Replication fork in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, action of DNA polymerase. Auxiliary enzymes, primase, helicase, topoisomerase. Genome replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Errors and DNA damage, DNA repair mechanisms. General and site-specific recombination. 4. Transcription and translation. Transcription of gene, RNA polymerase. Formation and processing of mRNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Formation of rRNA. Translation and genetic code. Synthesis of proteins on the ribosome. Protein folding, protein quality monitoring and degradation. 5. Regulation of gene expression. Importance of gene expression control, basic principles. Binding of proteins to DNA, types of regulatory proteins. Experimental methods of study of gene expression and its regulation. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. Methylation of DNA and its significance for gene expression. Post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Alternative splicing. Regulated transport and mRNA editing. Gene silencing by interfering RNAs. Translational controls. Riboswitches. 6. Cellular organization, cytoskeleton. Biological membranes, composition and structure. Phospholipids and membrane proteins. Cellular filaments - cytoskeleton. Actin filaments, microtubules, intermediate filaments. Motor proteins and their involvement in muscle movement, organelle/vesicle trafficking and in cell division. 7. Vesicular traffic and protein sorting. Cellular compartments, different membranes. Types of protein transport. Protein sorting, signal sequences. Pore transport between nucleus and cytosol. Chanel transport into mitochondria and chloroplasts. Transport to other organelles. Transport to endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, secretory pathway. Vesicular transport. Endocytosis, pinocytosis and phagocytosis. 8. Membrane transport. Permeability of lipid membranes. The importance of membrane transport. Membrane channels, carriers and pumps. Passive and active transport. Types of membrane pumps and transporters. Ion channels and membrane polarization. Propagation of the signal in neuron cells, neuromuscular synaptic junction, spinal cord cells. Energy conversion on membranes. The process of obtaining energy in mitochondria. The process of obtaining energy in chloroplasts. 9. Signaling. Cell signaling, basic principles and regulatory mechanisms. Receptor types. Signaling through G-protein coupled receptors. Signaling through tyrosine kinases. Other types of membrane receptors. Signaling through nuclear receptors. Specific signaling pathways in plants. 10. Cell cycle and apoptosis. Phases of the cell cycle. Checkpoints and cell cycle control systems, cyclin dependent kinases. Mitosis and meiosis. Apoptosis - programmed cell death. Caspase enzymes. Extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Regulation by survival factors. 11. Techniques of molecular biology I. Manipulation of DNA, RNA and proteins. Cell culture types. Cell fractionation. Protein purification and determination of protein structure. Gene cloning, library preparation. DNA sequencing. Determination of genome sequences of whole organisms. PCR method and its applications. Methods of study of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. Methods of study of gene expression and function. Genetic manipulation, genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9. 12. Techniques of molecular biology II.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
- Attendace
- 52 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Exam
- 55 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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Obtaining advanced knowledge in the field of molecular biology.
Define main concepts, describe main approaches used in molecular and cell biology.
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Prerequisites
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The subject is aimed at master students of biochemistry and related disciplines.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Oral exam
Written examination in the form of a test - cross-section of twelve thematic areas, max. 100 points, 100-91 points A, 90-81 points B, 80-71 points C, 70-61 points D, 60-51 points E, <50 points F.
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Recommended literature
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Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. (2017). Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th edition. Garland Science.
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