ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 33 Interactive Classroom: 15 Total: 51
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
Areas: Genetics
Center Faculty of Sciences
Call: First Semester
Teaching: Sin docencia (Extinguida)
Enrolment: No Matriculable
- To know the organisation of genomes, the molecular bases of the regulation of gene expression and its incidence in processes such as development, defence of the organism and complex diseases such as cancer.
- To know the methodologies of recombinant DNA technology with a view to its applications for transgenesis and in general for the improvement of productions and food safety.
- To encourage teamwork and the acquisition of skills in the search for and handling of scientific information through group work throughout the course.
The Degree Memory contemplates the following contents for this subject: Structure and organization of genomes. The eukaryotic gene. Gene families. Repeated DNA. Biochemical techniques for DNA analysis. Isolation and labeling of nucleic acids. Nucleic acid-related enzymes and properties. Restriction enzymes. Molecular genetic analysis techniques. DNA sequencing. Oligonucleotide synthesis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blotting techniques. Cloning. Analysis and isolation of cloned products. Vectors. Hosts: transformation and transfection. Colony selection: methods. Genetic libraries. Genomic libraries. cDNA libraries. Specialized libraries. Library screening. Obtaining probes. Expression libraries. Gene transfer in eukaryotes. Gene transfer in animals. Gene microinjection. Viral vectors. Transgenic and cloned animals. Gene transfer in plants. Genomic editing. Gene therapy. Applications to clinical and forensic medicine. Inheritance patterns of diseases. Preimplantation and prenatal diagnosis. Molecular diagnosis. Complex diseases: genetic approaches. Cancer: molecular profiling and therapy. DNA fingerprinting. Identification and parentage. Applications to animal and plant breeding. Genetic markers and genealogical traceability. Molecular parentage. Major genes and QTL. Detection and localization of QTL. Positional cloning.
These contents will be developed according to the following theoretical and practical program, indicating the estimated distribution per unit and laboratory practice of the classroom activities (48 h, lectures and interactive classes), tutorial sessions in small groups (3 h) and hours of student's personal work (95 h).
1. THEORETICAL CONTENT (36 hours)
Lecture classes (33 hours): Xenética Mol e Enx Xen
BLOCK 0: Presentation of the Subject (1 hour)
BLOCK 1: Molecular Genetics (16 hours)
Unit 1: Structure and organisation of genomes (2h). Size and organization of genomes. Types of sequences in genomes.
Unit 2: Regulation of genomes expression (2h). Control of gene expression. Generalities. Inducible and repressible enzyme systems. Lac operon model: positive and negative control. Tryptophan operon. Pretranscriptional regulation - Epigenetics: chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation and non-coding RNA. Transcriptional regulation: promoters, enhancers, silencers, insulators, response elements, transcription factors. Post-transcriptional regulation: alternative processing, mRNA stability, non-coding RNA. Translational regulation. Post-translational regulation.
Unit 3: Developmental genetics (2h). Developmental genetics (3h). Genetic control of development. Theory of variable gene activity. Embryonic development in Drosophila: maternal effect genes, zygotic genes: segmentation genes and selector genes. Parallelism between insect and plant development. Programmed cell death and normal development.
Unit 4: Immunogenetics (2h). The immune system. Immunoglobulin structure. Generation of antibody diversity. Genes of the major histocompatibility complex.
Unit 5: Cell cycle and cancer (2h). Cancer. Genetic basis of cancer: genes that control cell division, DNA repair genes, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes. Viruses and cancer. The cell cycle: checkpoints. Metastasis. Cancer treatment.
BLOCK II: Genetic Engineering (16 horas)
Unit 6: Genetic techniques for molecular analysis (2h). Enzymology for nucleic acids manipulation. Isolation of nucleic acids. Electrophoresis. Hybridization. Labeling. Blotting. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA Sanger sequencing.
Unit 7: In vivo molecular cloning (2h). Recombinant DNA. Vectors. Hosts. Transfer, selection and identification methods.
Unit 8: Gene libraries (2h). DNA libraries: genomic, cDNA, specialized, metagenomic. Small RNA libraries. Expression libraries. In vivo and in vitro gen libraries.
Unit 9: Gene transfer in eukaryotes (2h). Gene transfer in animal cells. Transfection and transduction techniques. Transgenic animals. Gene editing. Cloned animals.
Unit 10: Applications (1h + 3h of tutorial sessions in small groups). Clinical and forensic medicine. Animal breeding.
Seminars (3 hours)
Sem Xen Mol Inx 1. Problems and questions concerning Block 1.
Sem Xen Mol Inx 2. Problems and questions concerning Block 2.
Sem Xen Mol Inx 3. Problems and questions concerning Block 2.
2. PRACTICAL CONTENTS (15 hours)
Laboratory practices (12 hours)
P XM & EX LB1. Nucleic acid purification and analysis techniques.
P XM & EX LB2. DNA molecular analysis techniques.
P XM & EX OR3. Introduction to the use of databases and tools of bioinformatics analysis.
Tutorial sessions in small groups (3 hours)
Tit Xen Mol Enx Xen. Group work will be carried out and presented orally. The topics will be related to the applications of genetic engineering for the improvement of productions and food safety.
BASIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
Benito, C. & Espino, J., 2012. Genética: conceptos esenciales. Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana.
Brown, T.A., 2016. Gene cloning and DNA analysis: An Introduction. 7th ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Brown T.A. 2023. Genomes. 5ª Edición. Taylor & Francis Group
Herráez, A., 2012. Biología molecular e ingeniería genética: conceptos, técnicas y aplicaciones en ciencias de la salud. 2ª ed. Barcelona: Elsevier.
Izquierdo, M., 2014. Ingeniería Genética y Transferencia Génica. 2ª ed. Pirámide, Madrid
Klug, W.S., et al. 2018. Concepts of genetics.12th ed. New York. Pearson.
Nicholl, D.S.T. 2023. An introduction to genetic engineering. 4th ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pierce, B.A., 2015. Genética: un enfoque conceptual. 5ª ed. Madrid: Médica Panamericana.
Pierce, B.A. 2020. Genetics: a conceptual approach. 7th ed. New York: Macmillan International Higher Education.
Real García, M.D., et al. 2017. Técnicas de ingeniería genética. Madrid: Síntesis.
Students will have access to the electronic manuals: Benito & Espino, 2012; Pierce, B.A., 2015 and Herráez, A., 2012: Access will be through ReBUSCa of the USC Library (https://rebusca.usc.gal/inicio).
COMPLEMENTARY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Glick, B.R. & Patten, C.L., 2017. Molecular biotechnology: principles and applications of recombinant DNA. 5th ed. Washington DC: ASM Press.
Green, M.R. & Sambrook, J., 2012. Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual. 4th ed. 3 v. Cold Spring Harbor: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
Krebs, J.E., Goldstein, E.S. & Kilpatrick, S.T., 2018. Lewin’s Genes XII. 12th ed. Jones & Bartlett Larning.
Basic
CB3: That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) in order to make judgements that include a reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.
CB5: That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
General
CG1: Possess and understand fundamental knowledge about the organization and function of biological systems at the cellular and molecular levels.
CG7: Ability to pose and solve questions and problems and interpret the results obtained in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Transversal
CT1: Capacity for analysis and synthesis.
CT7: Ability to solve problems.
CT14: Capacity to apply the knowledges to the practice.
Specific
CES6: Understand the structure, organization, expression, regulation and evolution of genes in living organisms, as well as the molecular bases of genetic and epigenetic variation between individuals. Know the principles of the manipulation of nucleic acids, as well as the techniques that allow both the study of gene function, and the development of transgenic organisms with applications in biomedicine, industry, environment, agriculture, livestock, etc.
CES8: Know and understand the biochemical and genetic changes that occur in a wide range of pathologies, and know how to explain the molecular mechanisms involved in these changes. Know how the genetic, molecular and biochemical markers associated with different pathologies are determined in the clinical laboratory, and be able to critically evaluate how they can be used in diagnosis.
- Lectures classes (33 hours): the contents of the subject will be explained with the support of audio-visual presentations for each unit, with the help of annotations on the blackboard and support material, also in English. In the classrooms assigned by the center.
- Seminars (3 hours): The teacher will provide, via the virtual campus and with sufficient notice, bulletins with questions and unsolved problems related to the different topics of the program. The students will try to solve the bulletins before the sessions and autonomously in order to gauge their progress in the subject. In the seminars, the teacher will address the doubts raised by the students. In the classrooms assigned by the center.
- Practices (12 hours): will deal with genetic analysis methods, both in the laboratory and on the computer, that will complement the concepts developed in the theoretical classes. They will include an introduction and scripts detailing the procedures to be carried out under the supervision of the professor. At the end of the practices, students will discuss with the professor the results obtained in order to answer and deliver the questions posed in the script. Students will work in subgroups of 2-3 students in the laboratory and individually on the computer. Laboratory practices will be carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary, Pavilion 4, 2nd upper floor. The computer practices will take place in the classrooms assigned by the center.
- Tutorial sessions in small groups (3 hours): Group works will be carried out (2-3 students) and will be delivered in poster format as a pdf file and will be presented orally. Students will search for, process and analyse information on applications of genetic engineering to improve productions. The face-to-face hours will be used for supervision and assessment by the professor and for the presentation of the works. In the classrooms assigned by the center.
- The USC Virtual Campus will be used continuously to support teaching and for communication with students.
It is recalled that, as stated in Article 16 of the Regulations for the Assessment of Students' Academic Performance and Review of Qualifications, approved by the Governing Council on 15 June 2011, "The fraudulent performance of any exercise or test required in the assessment of a subject will result in a failing grade in the corresponding exam session, regardless of the disciplinary process that may be followed against the offending student. Fraudulent work is considered to be, among others, plagiarised work or work obtained from publicly available sources without reworking or reinterpretation and without citation of the authors and sources".
The final score will be a weighted average of the qualifications obtained by the students in the different assessable teaching activities according to the following scale:
- Final exam: 60% of the final score (if the student passes the exam). Face-to-face exam on the date assigned by the Centre at the beginning of the Academic Year. It will consist of test type and/or questions that will require answers of greater or lesser length and the resolution of problems on the theory given in the lectures. Mandatory evaluable activity.
Competences evaluated: CB3, CB5, CG1, CG7, CT1, CT7, CT14, CES6, CES8
- Practices (continuous evaluation), 15% of the final score. Attendance, attitude and answers to the questions in the scripts will be scored with a maximum of 7.5% and the practical exam with other 7.5% maximum, this exam will be taken together with the final exam. Non-mandatory assessable activity.
Competences evaluated: CB5, CG7, CT1, CT7, CT14, CES8
- Tutorial sessions in small groups (continuous evaluation), the work carried out represents 15% of the final score. Aspects such as the quality of the information, the structure of the work and the written and oral presentation will be assessed. Non-mandatory assessable activity.
Competences evaluated: CB3, CB5, CT1 CES6, CES8
- Questionnaires through the virtual campus and/or face-to-face tasks (continuous evaluation), 5% of the final score. One will be done at the end of each block during class time. Non-mandatory assessable activity.
Competences evaluated: CB3, CB5, CG1, CG7, CT1, CT7, CT14, CES6, CES8
- Participation in the activities (continuous evaluation), 5% of the final score. Active participation and problem solving will be considered.
EXPLANATORY NOTES:
SCALE: To pass the subject a minimum score of 5.0 points (scale from 0 to 10) must be obtained in the theory exam. Once the exam has been approved (which represents 60% of the final score), the scores obtained in the remaining activities of the subject will be added with the scale described. In case of not reaching 5,0 points in the theory exam, the final score will be only the one obtained in the theory exam.
PRACTICES, TUTORIAL SESSIONS AND QUESTIONNAIRES/TASKS: Attendance is not compulsory. If these activities are not carried out, the score will be that of the theory exam, which cannot exceed 6.0 points out of 10 as it represents 60% of the final score.
GROUP CHANGES: In practices, tutorials and seminars, group changes may be made whenever there is another student from another group with whom to change. These changes must be previously communicated by e-mail to the teacher responsible for the activity.
EXAM DATES: No exams will be held on alternative dates to the official ones.
SECOND OPPORTUNITY CALL: Students will have to do the exam, similar to that of the 1st opportunity call. The scores obtained in the remaining activities of the subject will be retained.
EXEMPTION FROM FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES ATTENDANCE: will be applicable to those students who have obtained it after applying for it according to the instruction nº 1/2017 of the General Secretary.
REPEATER STUDENTS: the same evaluation system will be applied. It is not mandatory to repeat the practices and tutorials, as long as they are the same, keeping the qualification obtained. In case of change, students will be informed through the virtual campus so that those repeaters who want to have these qualifications know that they have to do them.
The subject consists of 6 ECTS credits. The total number of hours of student work is 150 hours, of which 36.6% are face-to-face and 63.4% are hours of autonomous student work (no face-to-face). The detailed distribution of student work time is as follows:
Student's work in classroom: 55 h
- Lectures classes: 33 h
- Seminars: 3 h
- Practices: 12 h
- Tutorial sessions in small groups: 3 h
- Exam and review: 4 h
Student's personal work: 95 h
- Individual study: 84 h
- Preparation of works: 11h
Attend all activities and ask questions that may arise during the development of these.
Continuous study based on the understanding of concepts.
Consult the recommended bibliography to enrich the contents treated during the development of the classes.
Use tutorials to resolve doubts or questions.
A virtual classroom will be operational on the Moodle platform available to students and direct communication channels through MS-teams.
RELEVANT INFORMATION: It is recalled that all the material that the teachers leave in the USC Virtual is subject to copyright, therefore its use outside this space will be considered fraudulent by not complying with the conditions of use of this classroom.
María Belén Gómez Pardo
- Department
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
- Area
- Genetics
- Phone
- 982822428
- belen.gomez [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Marina Pampín Iglesias
- Department
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
- Area
- Genetics
- marina.pampin.iglesias [at] usc.es
- Category
- Predoutoral USC_Campus Terra
Laila Al Soufi Novo
- Department
- Zoology, Genetics and Physical Anthropology
- Area
- Genetics
- laila.alsoufi.novo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Ministry Pre-doctoral Contract
| Tuesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | 2P CLASSROOM 5 SECOND FLOOR |
| Wednesday | |||
| 09:00-10:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | 2P CLASSROOM 5 SECOND FLOOR |
| 01.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 2P CLASSROOM 3 SECOND FLOOR |
| 01.19.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 2P CLASSROOM 4 SECOND FLOOR |
| 06.21.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 2P CLASSROOM 3 SECOND FLOOR |
| 06.21.2024 10:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | 2P CLASSROOM 4 SECOND FLOOR |