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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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Course content
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01. Cells and genomes: Definition of genome, gene, types of genes. DNA, RNA and the central dogma of molecular biology. Development of genes and organisms. Tree of Life. Size of genes and genomes. Model organisms. 02. DNA and chromosomes: Structure of DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure of eukaryotic chromosomes, levels of chromatin deposition. Histones, their functions in nucleosomes, in replication and transcription. Heterochromatin, euchromatin, centromere and telomeres. 03. DNA replication, repair and recombination: Principle of DNA replication, control mechanisms. Replication forks in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the action of DNA polymerase. Auxiliary enzymes, primase, helicase, topoisomerase. Genome replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. DNA defects and damage, mechanisms of DNA repair. General and site-specific recombination. 04. Transcription and translation: gene transcription, RNA polymerases. mRNA production and processing in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. rRNA production. Translation and genetic code. Protein synthesis on the ribosome. Protein assembly, quality monitoring and their degradation. 05. Regulation of gene expression: Importance of gene expression control, basic principles. Binding of proteins to DNA, types of regulatory proteins. Experimental methods of studying gene expression and its regulation. Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. DNA methylation and its importance for gene expression. Post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression regulation. Alternative splicing. Regulation of mRNA transport and processing. Silencing of RNA genes by interference. Translational controls. Riboswitches. 06. Cell organization, cytoskeleton: Biological membranes, composition and structure. Phospholipids and membrane proteins. Cell filaments - cytoskeleton. Actin filaments, microtubules, other fibrillar proteins. Motor proteins and their involvement in muscle movement, organelle / vesicle transport and cell division. 07. Vesicular transport and protein sorting: cell compartments, different types of membranes. Types of protein transport. Protein sorting, signal sequences. Transport between the nucleus and the cytosol through the nuclear pore. Channel transport to mitochondria and chloroplasts. Transport to other organelles. Transport to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, secretory pathway. Vesicular transport. Endocytosis, pinocytosis and phagocytosis. 08. Membrane transport: permeability of lipid membranes. Importance of membrane transport. Membrane channels, carriers and pumps. Passive and active transport. Types of membrane pumps and transporters. Ion channels and membrane polarization. Signal propagation in neuronal cells, neuromuscular synaptic terminus, spinal cord cells. Energy conversion on membranes. The process of obtaining energy in mitochondria. The process of obtaining energy in chloroplasts. 09. Signaling: Cell signaling, basic principles and regulatory mechanisms. Types of receptors. G-protein coupled receptor signaling. Signaling via tyrosine kinases. Other types of membrane receptors. Signaling via nuclear receptors. Specific signaling pathways in plants. 10. Cell cycle and apoptosis: cell cycle phase. Checkpoints and cell cycle control systems, cyclin dependent kinases. Mitosis and meiosis. Apoptosis - programmed cell death. Caspase enzymes. External and internal apoptotic pathway. Regulation by survival factors.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming)
- Preparation for the Exam
- 55 hours per semester
- Attendace
- 52 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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