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Human Molecular Biology

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:6.00
Study Course Accepted:17.08.2021 15:26:11
Study Course Information
Course Code:BUMK_045LQF level:Level 7
Credit Points:4.00ECTS:6.00
Branch of Science:Biology; Molecular BiologyTarget Audience:Dentistry
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Rudīte Koka
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Department of Biology and Microbiology
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, bmkatrsu[pnkts]lv, +371 67061584
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)7Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures14
Classes (count)9Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes18
Total Contact Hours32
Full-Time - Semester No.2
Lectures (count)6Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures12
Classes (count)10Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes20
Total Contact Hours32
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge of biology acquired within the framework of general secondary education.
Objective:
To develop an understanding of the molecular processes in the cell, the connection of cell functions with the provision of homoeostasis in the human body, as well as an understanding of the principles of human genome structure and the role of genomic function disorders in the aetiology of genetic pathologies, to develop students’ skills in learning molecular biology methods, to help understanding the use of acquired theoretical knowledge in medical practice, to help understanding the role of science in the development of medicine and the possibilities of applying scientific insights in physician’s practice.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1The subject of human biology. Life and the diversity of its forms. Cell biology. Main types of cells. Transport of substances.Lectures1.00auditorium
2The Nucleus. Chromatin. Chromosomes. Human karyotype.Lectures1.00auditorium
3The molecular basis of heredity. The role of nucleic acids in the realisation of hereditary information. DNA replication. Transcription. For independent learning. Chemical composition and spatial structure of nucleic acids.Lectures1.00auditorium
4Protein biosynthesis in the cell. For independent learning: Genetic code, characteristics thereof.Lectures1.00auditorium
5Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cell. DNA repair, mechanisms and diseases.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Cell cycle; regulation of cell cycle. Cell division. Mitosis. Meiosis.Lectures1.00auditorium
7Gametogenesis. Cell division disorders and consequences thereof.Lectures1.00auditorium
8Basics of classical genetics. Allelic gene interactions.Lectures1.00auditorium
9Non-allelic gene interactions. Gene linkage.Lectures1.00auditorium
10Genealogical method. Types of trait inheritance and analysis thereof in humans. Topics for independent learning: Creating family trees, accepted designations. Making a family tree.Lectures1.00auditorium
11Multifactorial type of inheritance. Disease predisposition. The most common multifactorial pathologies. Case analysis.Lectures1.00auditorium
12Variations of the human genome. Gene changes. Chromosome aberrations. Changes to the genome. For independent learning: Chromosomal disorders.Lectures1.00auditorium
13Population genetics.Lectures1.00auditorium
14Microscope and microscopy. Structure of specialised plant and animal cells (independent micropreparations).Classes1.00laboratory
16Osmosis in eukaryotic cells.Classes1.00laboratory
17Human karyotype. Analysis of metaphase plates. Polytene chromosomes (independent micropreparations).Classes1.00laboratory
18DNA isolation. Laboratory work.Classes1.00laboratory
19Molecular biology. Discussion. Solving tasks.Classes1.00laboratory
20Colloquium I (cytology).Classes1.00auditorium
21Analysis of different stages of mitosis, meiosis in micropreparations of plants and animals.Classes1.00laboratory
22Spermatogenesis and oogenesis. Germ cell morphology (independent micropreparations).Classes1.00laboratory
23Colloquium in molecular biology.Classes1.00laboratory
24Classical genetics (solving and preparing tasks).Classes1.00laboratory
25Gene interactions (solving and preparing tasks).Classes1.00laboratory
26Inheritance analysis of related traits (solving tasks).Classes1.00laboratory
27Analysis and preparation of family trees (A-D; A-R).Classes1.00laboratory
28Analysis and preparation of family trees (X-D; X-R; holandric).Classes1.00laboratory
29Colloquium in classical genetics (theoretical and practical part).Classes1.00laboratory
30Multifactorial type of inheritance. Disease predisposition. The most common multifactorial pathologies. Case analysis.Classes1.00laboratory
31Chromosome mutations. Genome mutations. Chromosomal disorders. Discussion. Solving tasks.Classes1.00laboratory
32Population genetics; solving tasks.Classes1.00laboratory
33Colloquium in genetics II.Classes1.00laboratory
Assessment
Unaided Work:
In the 1st semester, the topic Cytoplasmic Structure of Eukaryotic Cells, Structure and Functions of Organoids must be learned independently and presented. In each class, according to the topic, the student receives tasks for independent learning. Genetic code must be used in solving the tasks. Presentations must be prepared according to the criteria discussed in class and available in e-studies: in the 1st semester – about eukaryotic cell organoids, in the 2nd semester – about multifactorial diseases.
Assessment Criteria:
Students’ participation in classes and adherence to methodology in laboratory work are assessed; weekly test of theoretical knowledge, ability to explain the results of practical work, draw conclusions according to the obtained results. Students’ knowledge and skills are assessed in colloquia – in the 1st semester: in two written colloquia – cytology and the molecular basis of heredity, in the 2nd semester – in two written colloquia: 1st colloquium – in classical genetics (written theoretical part and solving tasks); 2nd colloquium – about chromosomal pathology, function of genes in the population (written theoretical part and solving tasks). The students’ ability to present the prepared material according to the subject and the ability to use theoretical knowledge in solving genetical tasks are assessed. Semester test at the end of the 1st semester. The test grade is made up of the average grade received in both colloquia. At the end of the study course, a written exam or cumulative assessment. The exam includes the content of the 2nd semester. The cumulative assessment consists of the following: Colloquium grade 70% + practical class tests 30%.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:• Students analyse the correspondence of the cell structure of various eukaryotes to its functions; • Substantiate the relationship between cell structure and the role of abnormal functions in human pathology; • Compare the processes occurring in mitosis and meiosis; • Know the main regularities of genetics; • Evaluate the significance of Mendel’s experiments in the development of genetics; • Compare the results of monohybrid, dihybrid, polyhybrid and analytic crosses; • Explain the types of interaction of allelic and non-allelic genes and the effect of gene interaction on the expression of traits in the phenotype, analyse gene linkage; • Know the structure of nucleic acids, explain DNA replication, transcription, translation and regulation of gene expression; • Know chromosomal pathologies, analyse their possible occurrence mechanisms and consequences; • Know the factors that disturb the gene balance in the population, know the types of sampling and characterises the sampling in the human population; • Explain the possibilities of applying the insights of population genetics in practical medicine; • Substantiate the expression of developmental gene mutations in the early stages of ontogenesis; explain the impact of developmental genes on the structure of the organism; • Justify their opinion by analysing specific situations regarding the inheritance of human traits; • Use the biology concepts and terms discussed in the lecture and class.
Skills:Students use an optical microscope to identify specific cell structures of eukaryotes; different types of metaphase chromosomes; polytene chromosomes; explain the relationship between the construction of structures and functions; graphically represent the phases of mitosis and meiosis and explain the ongoing processes; form schemes of oogenesis and spermatogenesis; prepare and analyse family trees of various inheritance types; present the aetiology, possible causes of the disease of a multifactorial congenital type; use the method of molecular biology to extract and demonstrate the DNA of buccal epithelial cells; classify the types of variation and mutation; discuss the mechanisms of gene, chromosome, genome mutations; solve tasks in genetics and molecular biology.
Competencies:Students analyse situations in medical cytology, genetics, evaluate the role of scientific achievements and genetics in dental practice.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
1A. Krūmiņa., V. Baumanis. Eikariotu šūnu bioloģija. Rīga. RSU. 2015.
2Tsisana Shartava. DNA Research, Genetics, and Cell Biology. Nova Science Publishers, 2011. RSU. E-grāmata. datu bāze: EBSCO. (akceptējams izdevums)
3Molecular Biology, David P. Clark, Nanette J. Pazdernik. [2019] RSU E-book. Datu bāze: ClinicalKey&EBRARY
4Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students
5Tsisana Shartava. DNA Research, Genetics, and Cell Biology. Nova Science Publishers, 2011. RSU. E-grāmata. datu bāze: EBSCO. (akceptējams izdevums)
6Molecular Biology, David P. Clark, Nanette J. Pazdernik. [2019] RSU E-book. Datu bāze: ClinicalKey&EBRARY
Additional Reading
1Benjamin A. Pierce. Genetics A Conceptual Approach. 5th Edition. Southwestern University. 2014.
2Pollard T.D., Earnshaw W.C. Cell biology. 3rd edition. Elsevier Science (USA), 2017.-908 p.
3Evans J., Manson A.L. Cell Biology and Genetics. Mosby, Elsevier, 2008.
4Selga Tūrs. Šūnu bioloģija. LU akadēmiskais apgāds. 2008.- 342.lpp.
5Ārvalstu studentiem/For international students
6Benjamin A. Pierce. Genetics A Conceptual Approach. 5th Edition. Southwestern University. 2014.
7Pollard T.D., Earnshaw W.C. Cell biology. 3rd edition. Elsevier Science (USA), 2017.-908 p.
Other Information Sources
1Internetā atslēgvārdi- DNA &RNA, Genetics&Medicine, Genes &Expression, Genomes&Maps.
2http://estudijas. rsu.lv. --> Zobārstniecība--> 1. studiju gads-->cilvēka molekulārā bioloģija