LECTURE

BC.C.1. Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology. Origin and evolution of eukaryotic cells. Evolutionary theory of the origin of life. The emergence of the precellular genetic system. Emergence of the first cells. General organization of eukaryotic cells.

BC.C.2. Internal organisation of the cell. Structure of the cell membrane. Lipid bilayer. Membrane proteins.

BC.C.3. DNA. Chromosomes. Structure and functions of DNA. Chromosomal DNA and its packaging into chromatin fibre. Structure of chromosomes.

BC.C.4. DNA. Replication. Repair. Recombination.

BC.C.5. From DNA to RNA and proteins. The RNA universe and the origin of life. Ribosome biogenesis. Control of gene expression. Post-transcriptional control.

BC.C.6. Transmembrane transport of micromolecules. Principles of transmembrane transport. Carrier proteins and active membrane transport.

BC.C.7. Transmembrane transport of molecules. Ion channels and electrical properties of the membrane.

BC.C.8. Intracellular vesicular transport. Mechanisms of membrane transport and maintenance of internal diversity. Transport from the ER through the Golgi apparatus. Transport from the trans Golgi network to lysosomes. Endocytosis. Exocytosis.

BC.C.9. Intracellular compartments and protein sorting. Compartmentalisation of cells. Transport of molecules between nucleus and cytosol. Protein transport in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Peroxisomes. Endoplasmic reticulum.

BC.C10. Cell signalling. General principles of cell signalling. Signalling by cell surface G-protein bound receptors. Signalling by intracellular receptors..

BC.C11. Cell junctions. Cell adhesion.

BC.C12. Cytoskeleton. Self-assembly and dynamic structure of cytoskeletal filaments. Cellular regulation of cytoskeletal filaments. Cytoskeleton and cell behaviour.

BC.C13. Energy conversion: Mitochondria. Electron transport chain and proton pump.

BC.C14. Cell cycle. Phases and control of the cell cycle. Apoptosis.

PRACTICAL WORKS

BC. LP1. Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology.

BC. LP2. Principles of light microscopy. Special types of optical microscopy. Electron microscope. Principles. Interpretation of ME images.

BC. LP3. TStructural and functional assessment techniques of cell organelles.

BC. LP4. Cell cultures. Cell division. Cell cycle. Control of cell activity.

BC. LP5. Molecular methods used in research and diagnosis. Principles.

BC. LP6. DNA and RNA isolation and purification techniques. Methods for assessing the concentration, purity and degree of fragmentation of nucleic acids.

BC. LP7. Self and non-self DNA/RNA amplification techniques. PCR technique. Variants. Part I

BC. LP8. Self and non-self DNA/RNA amplification techniques. PCR technique. Variants. Part II

BC. LP9. Electrophoresis. Types of electrophoresis. Applications of electrophoretic techniques in molecular biology.

BC. LP10. Molecular techniques used for mutation detection. ASO. RFLP. Real-Time PCR.

BC. LP11. DNA analysis: use of DNA sequencer in fragment and sequence analysis. Principles. Methods.

BC. LP12. Gene expression. Methods to assess the degree of gene activation. Ways of blocking translocation. SiRNA. Highlighting the role of a gene in a cell line and animal models.

BC. LP13. Molecular methods used for non-self DNA and RNA detection. Molecular diagnosis and monitoring of diseases with infectious etiology.

BC. LP14. Review and synthesis session of the material covered. LPs catch-up session.