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.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Following courses are mutually exclusive: "Advanced Molecular Biology" and "Molecular Biology".
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Bio-Engineering Sciences
Educational team
Jos Ruytinx (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Lecture
Course Content

 

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

Course material
Handbook (Recommended) : Lewin's Genes XII, Krebs, goldstein, Kilpatrick, 12de, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 9781284104493, 2017
Digital course material (Required) : Texts corresponding to the different chapters
Handbook (Recommended) : Molecular Biology of the Gene, Principles and Practice, Watson, Baker, Bell, Gann, Levine, Losick, 7de, Pearson international Edition, 9781319154134, 2015
Additional info

Supplementary information can be obtained from the lecturer.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

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.

Grading

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:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Written preparation ( 30 minutes) followed by oral examination (20 min). Questions may concern knowledge and application of knowledge to solve a problem, to propose a research strategy.

Additional info regarding evaluation

not applicable

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Molecular Biology: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences