An-Najah National University
Faculty of Sciences– Department of Biology and Biotechnology
Course title & number |
BIO 392: Molecular Biology- 392
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Instructor(s) name(s) |
Dr. Kamel Adwan |
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Contact information |
office : 14G1530 |
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Semester & academic year |
Fall Semester 2010/2011 |
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Compulsory / Elective |
Compulsory Course |
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Prerequisites |
General Biology-24321, Genetics-24231 or consent of instructor |
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Course Description |
Molecular Biology- 392 defines the molecules in cells, and describes the major molecular processes that lie behind most biological events (replication of DNA, transcription and processing of RNA, translation of genetic information into proteins), and emphasizes the techniques and experiments that lead to this information. The course will also provide the students with basic concepts and understanding of recombinant DNA technology. |
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Course Objectives |
This course is about genes - their structure and function - therefore, students will study nucleic acid structure and the mechanics of replication, repair, transcription, and translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. A central goal is understanding gene regulation at all levels. The course will also provide the students with basic concepts and understanding of understanding plasmids, cosmids, phages and transposable elements, especially as they apply to their utilization as tools of the molecular biologist in Recominant DNA technology. |
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Intended learning Outcomes (ILO’s) and Competences
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At the end of this course student will be able to: 1. DNA as the genetic material, nucleotides, nucleic acid structure, supercoiling, hybridization 2. DNA Replication: Basic mechanism & enzymology. Semidiscontinuous replication, replication strategies, prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases, priming. 3.DNA Replication (cont.): elongation, DNA Pol III subunit functions, termination. DNA repair mechanisms 4. Recombination and Transposition. Homologous recombination, Holliday junction, RecBCD, RuvA, B, Site-specific recombination, transposons. 5. Gene structure and transcription in prokaryotes, E. coli RNA polymerase, Initiation, functions of σ, elongation, termination 6. Operons, Major shifts in prokaryotic transcription, E. coli σ subunits, B. subtilis sporulation 7. Eukaryotic transcription: RNA polymerases, promoters & enhancers. Eukaryotic transcription factors - general & specific. 8. Origins of life in the 'RNA world.' RNA Processing: exons & introns, splicing, spliceosomes, SNRPs. RNA Processing: self-splicing introns, capping, polyadenylation. 9.RNA editing, trans-splicing, recently discovered small RNAs 10. Translation: translation initiation, the genetic code 11. Translation elongation and termination, ribosome & tRNA structure and function. 12. Basic of Cloning DNA:Endonucleases, Vectors,DNA Library and Expression Vectors 13. Basic of Cloning DNA: Transformation Techniques- Insertion of Plasmids and Screening Libraries 14. Basic of Cloning DNA: Amplifying Genes - Polymerase Chain Reaction and DNA |
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Textbook & References
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1. J D Watson et al, Molecular Biology of the Gene, 6/e. Benjamin/Cummings, 2007. ISBN 978-080539521-1. 2. H Lodish et al, Molecular Cell Biology, 6/e. Freeman, 2008. ISBN 978-0-716-77601-7. Web site: http://www.whfreeman.com/lodish/. (Materials for 4th and 5th editions are also available there. 3. G M Cooper & R E Hausman, The Cell - A Molecular Approach. 5/e, 2009. ISBN 978-0-87893-300-6. Web site, with links keyed to the chapters: http://www.sinauer.com/cooper5e/. 4. Freifelder and Malacinski, Essentials of Molecular Biology.
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Assignment Criteria |
Activity |
Percent (%) |
First Hour Exam |
25 |
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Second Hour Exam |
25 |
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Final Exam |
50 |