5 ECTS credits
125 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4005915ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
Central in this course is the study of the relationship between molecular structure and biological function of macromolecules and molecular assemblies (nucleosomes, replisome, segregosome, RNA polymerase holoenzyme, spliceosome, ribosomes, etc.) operative in processing of genetic information: from storage in DNA or RNA molecules up to the synthesis of molecular machines (proteins, RNA molecules (ribozymes), and their assemblies). These mechanisms are analysed and compared in the three Domains of Life: Bacteria, Eukarya and Archaea. Major topic are:
- Central Dogma of Biology, evolution of the carrier of genetic information, RNA world, self replicating RNA
- Importance of strong and weak chemical bonds
- Composition and structure of DNA and chromosomes
- Chromosome replication and segregation: circular and linear chromosomes, plasmids, viruses
- Damage, mutability and repair of DNA
- Transcription in the three Domains of Life, maturation of eukaryotic mRNA
- Regulation of gene expression in the three Domains of Life: transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms
- Translation in the three Domains of Life
Supplementary information can be obtained from the lecturer.
At the end of this course the student should have a good insight in the molecular aspects of essential cellular processes and the similarities and differences in these processes observed in the three Domains of Life (Bacteria, Archaea, Eucarya). He/She must know the composition and action of the cognate molecular machineries and be able to explain the relation between molecular structure and biological function. How is the genetic information stored and duplicated, how are genes expressed, how are gene products further modified? Emphasis will be put on the fidelity of DNA replication, transcription and translation of the genetically encoded information, on the regulation of these processes in the three Domains of Life. The students should not only master the theory but be capable of using the acquired information to solve problems and to propose and develop a research strategy.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
not applicable
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject