Learning outcomes

The course should give awareness about the basic molecular mechanisms in a living cell and its main components. The student is expected on completion of the course to: - Be able to account for general structures of the macromolecules of the cell (protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate and lipid). - Be able to describe the different parts of the eukaryotic cell, their cellular functions and the basic energy metabolism. - Be able to describe the renewal of glucose, fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotides. - Be able to account for the flow of genetic information in the cell; including replication, transcription and translation and their regulation. - Be able to account for regulation of cell division, cell motility and intracellular transport. - Be able to account for central signal transduction pathways and communication between cells. - Be able to describe and apply basic methods within biochemistry and molecular genetics. - Explain the theory behind the practical parts and be able to compile and interpret the results in both written and oral form. - Be able to search, compile, present and to some extent also review cell biology-related and biochemical information critically.

Content

The theoretical course: Biochemistry Protein structure, enzymology, cellular renewal of glucose, fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotides, basic cell energy metabolism, biological membranes, reactive oxygen forms, methods for isolation and analysis of proteins (lectures). The structure and function of haemoglobin (seminar) . The molecular genetics of the cell The structure of nucleic acids, function and synthesis. The cell biology central dogma about the information flow in the cell. The structure of the genome. The gene concept and gene structure. DNA replication and DNA repair. Genetic recombination. Transcription and its regulation. Translation and its regulation. Basic recombinant DNA techniques. Cellular biology The structure and ultrastructure of the cell. Organelles and membrane systems and their structure and function. Cell division: mitosis and meiosis. Intracellular protein sorting and secretion and endocytosis. Cell skeletons and cell motility. Extra- and intracellular signal transduction. Differences and similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Microscopy methods for structural analysis of the eukaryotic cell. The laboratory course: Biochemistry Protein separation, enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, cell respiration and glucose oxidation. The molecular genetics of the cell Cultivation of bacteria, transformation, isolation of plasmid DNA, analysis of cleavage with restriction enzyme, isolation of genomic DNA, PCR, analysis of the results of sequencing, database searches. Cellular biology Sterilisation technique, microscopy, cultivation of eukaryotic cells, transfer of DNA to cells (electroporation) and analysis of gene expression with the aid of GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein). Microscopy studies of nucleus-stained cells.

Professional training.

Instruction

Lectures, seminar assignments, video and computer laboratory work. Laboratory sessions with written result presentation (compulsory). Supported self-learning. The students' attendance is compulsory at: seminars, group presentations, professional training, all parts in connection with the laboratory sessions and at special parts which are announced of the course coordinator.

Assessment

Possibility to supplement failed laboratory course can be given at the earliest at next course and only in case of a vacancy. Students who have not passed the examination have the right to take the examination 4 additional times (= total 5 examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can admit additional examinations. Submission of so called blank exam is counted as an examination.