BIO210 Molecular Biology

Credits (ECTS):10

Course responsible:Daniel Straume

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:200

Course frequency:Annually.

Nominal workload:

  • Lectures: ca 40 hours.
  • Mid Term Test: 45 minutes
  • Colloquia: 20-24 hours.
  • Individual study: 137 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.

About this course

  • DNA's structure and organisation in the cell.
  • DNA replication, recombination and repair.
  • Transcription and protein synthesis.
  • Transposons and bacteriophages.
  • Structures of operons, promoters, activators, repressors.
  • RNA splicing.
  • DNA binding motives in proteins.
  • Functional, small RNA molecules.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The course will give students detailed knowledge on DNA synthesis (replication, recombination and repair), RNA synthesis, protein synthesis and gene regulation at a molecular level. This includes central biochemical reactions, what proteins/enzymes that are involved and the communication between these. Students will get a basic understanding on how interactions between DNA, proteins and RNA-molecules contribute to the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins as well as DNA packaging, DNA- and RNA modifications and gene regulation. Both bacterial and eukaryotic systems will be used, but with special focus on the former. We will focus on the following model systems for gene regulation:

  • The lactose operon
  • Regulation of the tryptophan operon
  • The lambda bacteriophage
  • Catabolic repression

Skills

Students will have detailed knowledge on basic molecular biology and biochemical processes in bacteria and eukaryotes. Students will also be able to understand different molecular mechanism of gene regulation and how cells use this to adjust gene expression in response to changes in the environments.

Acquired skills can contribute to solve important problems in the society or in the environment. For example:

  • Improve human and animal health (develop new medicals, vaccines, diagnostic tools, healthier foods etc.).
  • Secure life quality on land and in waters by removing toxic pollutants through enzymatic processes,
  • Produce more (and healthier) food using genetic technologies.
  • Surveillance and combat/prevent infections in society.

These opportunities and challenges are central in many UN sustainable development goals.

General competence

The students shall after the course (i) have increased understanding on how central biosyntheses take place at a molecular level in cells, and (ii) can communicate and participate in discussions on topics related to biosynthesis, the buildup of macromolecules, gene regulation, DNA repair.

  • Lectures and colloquia.
  • The teacher has designated office hours for consultation.

    10 double-hour colloquia during the semester

    daniel.straume@nmbu.no

    Canvas.

    • Biochemistry equivalent to KJB200.
    • Genetics equivalent to BIO120.
    • Microbiology equivalent to BIO130.
  • Twice with 45 min midterm test (multiple choice). The first counts 10 % and the second counts 15 % of the final grade.

    2 hour written final exam (multiple choice and written answers), counts 75 % of the final grade.

  • Midterm tests (multiple choice) and final exam (multiple choice): An external examiner approves the examination tasks, and is involved in grading the test papers.
  • Midterm test 1 and 2.

    The lectures and colloquia are not compulsory but students are highly recommended to participate.

  • 2 x 2 hours lectures and 1 x2 hours colloquiums per week.
  • Letter grades
  • Special requirements in Science.