Molecular genetics

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Molecular genetics

Biochemistry N 004

Biophysics N 011

Life Sciences Center

Institute of Biotechnology

Total number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

1

Self-studies

6

Seminars

1

Aims of course

The aim of the course is to deepen knowledge of doctoral students in the field of genetics at the molecular level, so that they get acquainted with the latest research on the molecular processes ensuring the storage, reproduction, transfer and expression of genetic information. This course should deepen the ability of doctoral students analytically and critically analyze, link, evaluate the knowledge and facts of molecular genetics and participate in scientific discussion.

The study in molecular genetics program requires that doctoral students have taken courses in biochemistry, general genetics and molecular biology in the higher education study program.

Main topics

1. The relationship between classical and molecular genetics.
2. Modern concept of gene, nature of mutations.
3. Complementation of mutations. Mutations and reversals, their use to study gene interactions.
4. Organization of genetic material, replication, chromosome structure.
5. Chromatin. Nucleosome. Chromatin organization levels.
6. Molecular genetics of bacteria (E.coli, B. subtilis).
7. Organization of bacterial genetic material, replication.
8. Bacterial chromosome segregation.
9. Regulation of bacterial gene transcription.
10. Operon model.
11. Regulation of gene expression in the translation level.
12. Regulation of gene expression in antisense RNA bacteria.
13. Phage strategy.
14. Molecular mechanisms of recombination and repair in bacteria and eukaryotes.
15. Horizontal gene transfer: transfection, transduction, conjugation.
16. Basics of yeast genetics.
17. Yeast as a model organism.
18. Yeast genome organization, replication, plasmids.
19. Regulation of yeast gene expression.
20. Yeast killer system.
21. Mechanism of yeast mating type control.
22. Surface antigen switching mechanism in tripanosomes.
23. RNA genetics. 24. Mechanisms of protein translation.
24. Mobile elements in the genomes of bacteria and eukaryotes.
25. Maize control elements.
26. Transfer of genetic material in plants.
27. Human gene structure and gene families.
28. Features of eukaryotic replication and transcription.
29. Chromatin remodeling.
30. Insulating elements.
31. Epigenetic mechanisms of gene expression regulation: methylation, imprinting, prions.
32. X chromosome inactivation.
33. Inherited diseases.
34. Generation and use of transgenic animals.
35. The CRISPR-Cas: biology, mechanisms and relevance.

Main literature

• Lewin's Genes XII edit. Krebs, JE Goldstein, ES Kilpatrick, ST, Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2017.
• Lewin,s Genes XI Benjamin; Krebs, Jocelyn E.; Goldstein, Elliott S.; Kilpatrick, Stephen T., Jones & Bartlett Learning 2014.
• J. D. Watson, T.A. Baker, S.P. Bell, et al. Molecular Biology of the Gene. (7th ed.). Pearson Education, Benjamin-Cummings Publishing Company, 2014.
• Hartwell L. et al. Genetics. From Genes to Genomes (6th ed.) McGraw-Hill Publishing. 2017
• L. Snyder, J.Peters , T.M. Henken, W. Champness. Molecular Genetics of Bacteria. (5th ed.) ASM Press, 2020.
• N. Trun and J.Trempy. Fundamental bacterial genetics. Blackwell Publishing. 2004.
• T Strachan, A.P. Read. Human Molecular Genetics (5th ed.). Taylor & Francis Inc, 2019.
• Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. Ch. Guthrie, G.R.Fink. Acad.Press, New York, 2002

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Seminar presentation

For the seminar one question from the topics described in “Main topics” section is selected. It may be related to the research conducted by the PhD student. The student presents report, using the relevant recent literature and the basic knowledge set out in the description of the “Main Topics” above, discusses his/her planned or ongoing research connected to the doctoral student’s planned or ongoing research on the chosen topic.

The duration of the presentation is 45-50 minutes, the number of discussed scientific articles is not limited.

Evaluation criteria are related to the disclosure of a scientific problem based on basic knowledge and a review of the latest literature, ability to discuss and answer the questions and the validity of the interpretation of available or planned results.

Alma Gedvilaitė

Approved by the Council of Doctoral School of Life Sciences Center No (4.10)600000-KT-… on the 14th of October 2021

Chairman dr. Daiva Baltriukienė