BMB508: Advanced Molecular Biology
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
- Have knowledge of basic terms within biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Be able to use the scientific approach to conduct experiments and to interpret experimental data.
- To be familiar with the content of BB501 Biology from molecule to ecosystem (or FF503), and the content of BMB533 Molecular biology and protein chemistry.
Course introduction
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give knowledge and understanding of how cells in multicellular organisms communicates with each other by external ligands, how they pass on this information by receptors and signalling pathways and how this modulate chromatin structures and gene expression for the control of cell cycle, cell growth, cell differentiation and apoptosis. These processes are further illustrated by examples of how stem cells are maintained and induced for differentiation and how dysregulation of cell signalling contributes to the development of cancer.
- Give knowledge and understanding of basic methods in molecular and cell biology for the study of gene and protein function in human cells
- Give the skills to read and understand literature within biochemistry, molecular biology, and biomedicine with the main focus on signal transduction and gene regulation.
- Give the competence to comprehend the association between genotype and phenotype in human cells and the ability to solve biological questions across the course subjects.
Expected learning outcome
- Describe the general architecture of eukaryotic chromosomes and genes
- Explain how chromatin structures are regulated and how DNA and histone modifications take part in this process
- Explain how transcription factors and transcriptional processes regulate gene expression
- Explain how posttranscriptional processes, including RNA modification, processing, and alternative splicing are regulated and how they contribute to the control gene expression
- Explain the function and regulation of different types of non-coding RNA
- Explain how different classes of membrane bound receptors are activated, how signals are transduced from the membrane to the cell nucleus, and how signals are integrated to control gene expression and cell fate.
- Explain how the eukaryotic cell cycle is regulated and the role of checkpoints to maintain genome integrity and stability.
- Explain how anti-apoptotic and pro-survival signals regulate cell survival and apoptosis
- Explain how proto-oncogens, oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and DNA damage and repair factors control normal cell cycle , cell growth and development and how changes in these genes/proteins contributes to cancer development.
- Explain how virus and carcinogens might promote cancer
- Explain how cell types are specified and how early development of various eukaryotic organisms are regulated
- Explain the basic principles of methods for the analysis of gene and protein function based on knockout cells or transgenic model organisms, genome sequencing, and visualization of proteins within cells.
- Apply tools for the analysis and presentation of microscopy images
- Deduce conclusions based on the interpretation of experimental data
- Arguing over options on how to solve complex and transverse biological questions.
Content
- DNA, chromosomes, and genomes
- Control of gene expression
- Analysing cells, molecules and systems
- Visualizing cells
- Cell signalling
- The cell cycle
- Cell death
- Cancer
- Stem cell and tissue renewal
Literature
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Tests
Group report on laboratory exercises
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Examination aids
ECTS value
Exam element b)
Timing
Tests
Written examination
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Duration
Examination aids
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may visit system "DE-Digital Exam".
ECTS value
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
These teaching activities are reflected in an estimated allocation of the workload of an average student as follows:
- Intro phase (lectures, class lessons) - 40 hours
- Training phase: 40 hours
The intro-phase comprises lectures that provide a thorough introduction to the course subjects and where a dialogue with the students is stimulated by questions. Research-based teaching is applied and discussions of selected research topics are encouraged by two symposia with invited speakers. The lectures aim at facilitating and motivating the students to read the study book independently with the purpose of strengthening their competences.
The training-phase expands on the acquired competences by class teaching using home assignments that cover the main statement of aims for the course. During the laboratory exercises, the students work independently in groups of 2-4 on predesigned experiments and data interpretation. The exercises focus on cell visualization in relation to cell cycle, apoptosis and cancer and thereby provide first-hand knowledge of the structure and function of cells, which help and motivate the students to read the study book independently.
During the study-phase it is expected that the students independently study the course book, read the additional literature, complete the home assignments, work on the laboratory report, and prepare for the exam.
Teacher responsible
Name | Department | |
---|---|---|
Jan-Wilhelm Kornfeld | janwilhelmkornfeld@bmb.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi |
Additional teachers
Name | Department | City | |
---|---|---|---|
Jens S. Andersen | jens.andersen@bmb.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi | |
Susanne Mandrup | s.mandrup@bmb.sdu.dk | Funktionelle Genomiske Studier og Metabolisme |