Introduction to Molecular Biology (BIO 301)

2021 Spring
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Mol.Bio.Genetic&Bioengin.(BIO)
4
8/7 ECTS (for students admitted in the 2013-14 Academic Year or following years)
Nur Mustafaoğlu Varol nur.mustafaoglu@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Undergraduate
BIO321
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture,Group tutorial,Laboratory
Interactive,Learner centered,Communicative,Discussion based learning,Task based learning
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CONTENT

Introduction to Molecular Biology is a detailed introduction to basic mechanisms of molecular biology and genetics. Starting from genomic information and genome organization, DNA structure, packaging to chromosomes, replication of genetic material and its fidelity, mechanisms to repair and recombination of DNA will be discussed in the lecture. RNA structure, mechanisms of DNA transcription to RNA, transcriptional control mechanisms and transcription factors will be studied in detail. RNA to protein translation mechanisms and ribosome structure will be dissected. Protein stability, protein degradation echanisms, role of miRNAs and RNA stability on gene expression will be discussed. A general introduction to programmed cell death mechanims will be presented.The lab course is practical course on principle techniques for production of recombinant proteins in bacteria and animal cells. Lab work will involve utilisation of molecular cloning techniques to produce a particular gene product. Recombinant plasmids carrying either single gene or that for a fusion protein will be constructed and used to transform E. coli, and the gene products will be isolated and characterized.

OBJECTIVE

Course:
Introduction to the basic mechanisms of molecular biology and cellular functions.

Lab:
Introduction to the basic recombinant DNA technology theory, teaching cloning strategies and gene expression methods.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • To successfully complete Intro. to Molecular Biology (BIO 301) students are expected to; Gain a clear knowledge about cell cycle and its regulation.
  • Have an insight of gene and chromosme structure.
  • Have a general idea about chromosome remodelling.
  • Define the stages of DNA replication in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
  • Define the types of mutations, DNA damage and repair mechanisms.
  • Clearly define the stages of transcription and translation.
  • Have a general idea about recombinant protein production via molecular cloning.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES


1. Understand the world, their country, their society, as well as themselves and have awareness of ethical problems, social rights, values and responsibility to the self and to others. 3

2. Understand different disciplines from natural and social sciences to mathematics and art, and develop interdisciplinary approaches in thinking and practice. 3

3. Think critically, follow innovations and developments in science and technology, demonstrate personal and organizational entrepreneurship and engage in life-long learning in various subjects; have the ability to continue to educate him/herself. 5

4. Communicate effectively in Turkish and English by oral, written, graphical and technological means. 5

5. Take individual and team responsibility, function effectively and respectively as an individual and a member or a leader of a team; and have the skills to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams. 5


1. Possess sufficient knowledge of mathematics, science and program-specific engineering topics; use theoretical and applied knowledge of these areas in complex engineering problems. 5

2. Identify, define, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; choose and apply suitable analysis and modeling methods for this purpose. 2

3. Develop, choose and use modern techniques and tools that are needed for analysis and solution of complex problems faced in engineering applications; possess knowledge of standards used in engineering applications; use information technologies effectively. 2

4. Have the ability to design a complex system, process, instrument or a product under realistic constraints and conditions, with the goal of fulfilling specified needs; apply modern design techniques for this purpose. 5

5. Design and conduct experiments, collect data, analyze and interpret the results to investigate complex engineering problems or program-specific research areas. 5

6. Possess knowledge of business practices such as project management, risk management and change management; awareness on innovation; knowledge of sustainable development. 5

7. Possess knowledge of impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, health and societal context; knowledge of contemporary issues; awareness on legal outcomes of engineering solutions; knowledge of behavior according to ethical principles, understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. 5

8. Have the ability to write effective reports and comprehend written reports, prepare design and production reports, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear and intelligible instructions. 5


1. Comprehend key concepts in biology and physiology, with emphasis on molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular and cell biology as well as advanced mathematics and statistics. 5

2. Develop conceptual background for interfacing of biology with engineering for a professional awareness of contemporary biological research questions and the experimental and theoretical methods used to address them. 5


1. Use mathematics (including derivative and integral calculations, probability and statistics, differential equations, linear algebra, complex variables and discrete mathematics), basic sciences, computer and programming, and electronics engineering knowledge to (a) Design and analyze complex electronic circuits, instruments, software and electronics systems with hardware/software or (b) Design and analyze communication networks and systems, signal processing algorithms or software 1


1. Applying fundamental and advanced knowledge of natural sciences as well as engineering principles to develop and design new materials and establish the relation between internal structure and physical properties using experimental, computational and theoretical tools. 1

2. Merging the existing knowledge on physical properties, design limits and fabrication methods in materials selection for a particular application or to resolve material performance related problems. 1

3. Predicting and understanding the behavior of a material under use in a specific environment knowing the internal structure or vice versa. 1


1. Familiarity with concepts in statistics and optimization, knowledge in basic differential and integral calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, complex variables, multi-variable calculus, as well as physics and computer science, and ability to use this knowledge in modeling, design and analysis of complex dynamical systems containing hardware and software components. 1

2. Ability to work in design, implementation and integration of engineering applications, such as electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, control and computer systems that contain software and hardware components, including sensors, actuators and controllers. 1

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 30
Midterm 30
Quiz 10
Written Report 15
Homework 10
Other 5

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Textbook

Molecular Biology of the Gene, Seventh Edition, Pearson
J. D. Watson, T. A. Baker, S. P. Bell, A. Gann, M. Levine, R. Losick
ISBN-13: 9780321762436

Readings

- Molecular Biology Principles of Genome Function
N. Craig, R. Green, C. Greider, G. Storz, C. Wolberger, O. Cohen-Fix
ISBN-13: 978-0199658572
- Molecular Biology of the Cell
B. Alberts, A. D. Johnson, J. Lewis, D. Morgan, M. Raff, K. Roberts, P. Walter
ISBN-13: 978-0815344322

Optional Readings

Research articles
Review articles