BMB504: Fundamental Molecular Biology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N200031102
Assessment: Second examiner: External
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N200031101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 22-01-2024
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Entry requirements
The course is not open for Biomedicine or BMB students or students that follow or have followed BMB533.
The course is not open for students enrolled in the bachelor programme in Medicinal Chemistry after August 2022
Academic preconditions
The course builds upon FA508 Pharmaceutical Biology, BMB544 Fundamental cell biology or BB537 Biology from Molecule to Ecosystem.
Course introduction
The course gives a fundamental knowledge about molecular biological in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Students will learn about the structure of biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins) as well as their functions in the storage and transfer of genetic information in cells.
Furthermore, the course introduces relations between the structure and function of proteins and how selected macromolecules interact with other biomolecules and drugs. Key methods in DNA technology and protein purification will be presented.
The course gives the basis for studying the following topics:
- Toxicology, Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (BSc. in Pharmacy)
- Bioorganic chemistry topics (BSc./MSc. in Chemistry)
- Molecular aspects of evolution, projects involving molecular methods(BSc./MSc in Biology).
With respect to the qualification profile of the study, this course specifically contributes to:
- the insight into structure and function of biomolecules at the molecular level (Degree in Biology)
- knowledge required to teach biology at high school level (Degree in Biology)
- the knowledge about fundamental biochemistry and molecular biology (Degree in Chemistry)
- knowledge about and understanding of biochemistry and disease mechanisms at the molecular level (Degree in Pharmacy).
Expected learning outcome
When completing the course, the students should be able to:
- Use the general terms in molecular biology and protein chemistry
- Outline the flow of genetic information between genes and proteins
- Explain the relation between the structure and function of nucleic acids
- Describe the fundamental molecular events behind DNA replication, RNA transcription and protein translation
- Give the basic composition and names of enzymes involved in DNA replication, RNA transcription and translation.
- Explain the various levels of regulation of gene expression and the role of chromatin structure in this regulation.
- Outline the principles of common techniques in molecular biology and protein analysis.
- Relate the chemical composition of proteins to their structure.
- Explain how “homology” is defined at the molecular level, including its use in the studies of evolution
- Outline selected examples of protein structure-function relationship
Content
The following subjects will be presented and discussed:
- The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA and to proteins.
- Structure and function of nucleic acids
- Principles of DNA replication and regulation of this process
- DNA damage and repair and their role in diseases
- Basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA sequencing, PCR, mutagenesis and gene cloning
- The genetic code
- Mechanism of RNA transcription
- Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
- RNA processing and its role in gene expression regulation
- The role of bioinformatics in understanding evolution.
- Basic concepts in alignment of DNA, RNA and protein sequences.
- How protein sequence governs protein structure.
- Selected examples of protein structure-function relation.
- The mechanism of protein synthesis and translocation within the cell. The role of mRNA, ribosomes, tRNAs and tRNA synthases in these processes.
- Basic techniques in protein analysis: electrophoresis, chromatography, centrifugation and Western blotting
Literature
Latest edition of Jeremy M. Berg et al.: Biochemistry.
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N200031102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
2 hours
Examination aids
The exam is without aids. However, you are allowed to use the Danish/English dictionary in the dictionary programme from http://www.ordbogen.com/ in electronic form. The browser version is not allowed. All dictionaries other than Danish/English must be switched off in the dictionary programme.
The Internet is not allowed. However, you may visit DE-Digital Eksamen when completing the multiple-choice test.
ECTS value
5
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching is based on the faculty's three-phase model.
- Intro phase: 22 hours. Lectures based on course textbook
- Skills training phase: 20 hours.
Activities during the study phase:
- Online training in solving multiple choice questions. (Ten electronic tests will be available during the course. The tests are designed to familiarise students with the examination form.)
- Self-study of course textbook before lectures and during exam preparation.
- Preparing for tutorials (MCQ and problems solving)
- Study of supplementary material, to which links are given in the lecture slides (not obligatory)
Teacher responsible
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.