Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
Methods and Techniques in Molecular Genetics
Code: 42926Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Genetics | OB | 0 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Alba Garcia Rodriguez
- Email :
- alba.garcia.rodriguez@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Alba Garcia Rodriguez
- Cristian Valiente Gil
- Irene Barguilla Moreno
- Laura Rubio Lorente
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
The prerequisites for this module are those required to be admitted in the Advanced Genetics Master Program:
-B1 level of english
-Degree in Biosciences, Medicine, Pharmacy or Veterinary medicine
Basic knowledge in Molecular Genetics and laboratory skills are recomended.
Objectives
This course is designed to provide the student the necessary skills to perform accurately and autonomously inside the bioscience lab, with emphasis on molecular aspects. It provides a broad grounding on several techniques commonly used in the genetic field (DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, rtPCR, cloning, cell and bacterial cultures, southern blot, etc)and an introduction to experimental design and data analysis.
Learning outcomes
- Possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in the development and/or application of in a research context.
- Writing of a critical work experience report.
- Students should know how to communicate their conclusions, knowledge and final reasoning that they hold in front of specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
- Student should possess an ability to learn that enables them to continue studying in a manner which is largely self-supervised or independent.
- Apply strategies and techniques to isolate genomic regions for specific purposes.
- Characterise mutations present in genetic pathologies that are of special relevance.
- Analyse and compare current methodologies in the context of applicability to genetics.
- Analyse the variability observable in nucleotide sequences according to the possible changes experienced by the DNA.
- Have experience of techniques of isolation, cloning and expression of sequences/genes of interest.
- Have experience of the techniques of fluorescent in situ hybridation to detect genes/regions of interest.
- Evaluate the importance of a good experimental protocol to answer specific questions.
- Search for and make explicit the bibliography necessary for understanding the design of protocols explained in the module.
- Demonstrate responsibility in management of information and knowledge.
- Demonstrate responsibility in the direction of groups and/or projects in multidisciplinary teams.
- Write a report that considers the use of the methodology used in the module to resolve a specific problem.
- Work individually and in a team in a multidisciplinary context.
- Use scientific terminology to argue the results of the research and show how to communicate in spoken and written English in an international setting.
- Analyse the research results to obtain new products or processes valuing their industrial and commercial viability for transfer to society.
- Develop critical reasoning in the area of study and in relation to the scientific and business environments.
Contents
- DNA and RNA extraction
- DNA extraction and purification from agarose gels
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Qualitative reverse transcription (RT)-PCR
- Cloning of PCR products
- Transformation
- Bacterial culture
- Restriction enzyme digestion
- Miniprep
- DNA Labeling
- Transfer of PCR products into nylon membranes
- Probe-DNA hybridization
- Probe detection
- Cell culture
- In vitro toxicity assay
- Use of softwares of design and analysis (Primer, Nice, Image J, Chromas)
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General laboratory work | 50 | 2 | |
| Solve and discuss questions formulated during the experimental work | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Self-study | 10 | 0.4 | |
| Follow methodologies and laboratory guidelines | 54 | 2.16 | |
| Independent study of protocols | 2 | 0.08 |
The present module is entirely practical. The student will work mostly individually, learning how to take care of its own biological samples while collaborating with other classmates. The student will go over different experimental protocols in order to solve theoretical exercises previously proposed by the teacher.
During the course, the student will also need to autonomously solve different specific questions related to the experimental design and/or the analysis of the obtained results.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deliverable | 40% | 12 | 0.48 | 2, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Exam | 50% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19 |
| Attendance, attitud and lab skills | 10% | 0 | 0 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 16, 19 |
CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
The final grade is composed of the following percentages:
- 10% attendance, participation, and laboratory skills.
- 50% exam
- 40% deliverable.
To pass the different assessment activities and for their grades to be averaged, it is necessary to obtain a minimum score of 5 (out of 10) in each of them.
Unjustified absence will result in a \"not evaluable\" grade.
SINGLE EVALUATION
This course/module does not offer a single evaluation system.
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELIGENCE:
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in this course is permitted exclusively as a learning support tool. Specifically, AI may be used for:
- conducting bibliographic searches and identifying relevant information sources;
- searching for complementary information to support the study and understanding of the course contents;
- proofreading and improving the language and style of written texts;
- translating texts.
The use of AI tools to generate, either wholly or partially, the content of assessed coursework is not permitted. The writing of assignments, reports, and all other submitted work must be original, personal, independent, and non-transferable, and must reflect the student's own analytical, critical thinking, and synthesis skills.
Whenever AI tools have been used for the authorized support purposes described above, students must explicitly acknowledge their use by specifying the tools employed and briefly describing how they were used.
Failure to disclose the use of AI technologies, or the use of AI beyond the permitted purposes, will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in partial or full penalties for the assessment, as well as the application of the University's regulations on academic integrity.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Attendance at practical sessions is mandatory.
Bibliography
Students will receive a complete list of specific bibliography and internet resources during the classes or via the Campus Virtual.
A laboratory manual with the experimental protocols to be developed during the module will also be available from the Campus Virtual.
Software
Not required
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLABm) Practical laboratories (master) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLABsm) Suport a les prà ctiques de laboratori (mà ster) | 1 | English | first semester | morning-mixed |