Academic Year of Degree:
2025/26
18217 - MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
This is a non-sworn machine translation intended to provide students with general information about the course. As the translation from Spanish to English has not been post-edited, it may be inaccurate and potentially contain errors. We do not accept any liability for errors of this kind.
The course guides for the subjects taught in English have been translated by their teaching teams
Teaching Plan Information
Code - Course title:
18217 - MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENETIC ENGINEERING
Degree:
531 - Graduado/a en Bioquímica
829 - Microtítulo en Biología Molecular para Ciencias Experimentales
Faculty:
104 - Facultad de Ciencias
Academic year:
2025/26
1.1. Content area
Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering (Biochemical Module and Molecular Biology)
1.2. Course nature
Compulsory
1.3. Course level
531 - Grado (EQF/MECU 6)
829 - Estudios Propios (EQF/MECU 6)
1.4. Year of study
531 - Graduado/a en Bioquímica: 2
829 - Microtítulo en Biología Molecular para Ciencias Experimentales: 1
1.5. Semester
Second semester
1.6. ECTS Credit allotment
6.0
1.7. Language of instruction
Español
1.9. Recommendations
It is highly recommended to have studied the subject on the basis of biology. .
Have an English level that allows the student to read bibliography of consultation.
1.10. Minimum attendance requirement
Class attendance is highly recommended.
Assistance to seminars is mandatory.
1.11. Subject coordinator
Maria Belen Perez Gonzalez
1.12. Competences and learning outcomes
1.12.1. Competences / Results of the training and learning outcomes
Specific competences
CE15.- Know the principles, instrumentation and experimental methods used in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, both in vivo and in vitro and their applications.
General competencies
CG1.- To possess and understand the fundamental knowledge about the organization and function of biological systems at cell and molecular levels, being able to discern the different molecular mechanisms and the chemical transformations responsible for a biological process. These knowledge will be supported in advanced textbooks, but will also include some aspects of sources of scientific literature from the avant-garde of knowledge in the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
CG2.- Know how to apply knowledge in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to the professional world, especially in the areas of research and teaching, and of biosanitary activities, including the ability to resolve issues and problems in the field of Molecule Biosciences using the scientific method.
CG3.- Ability to collect and interpret relevant data within the area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as to draw conclusions and critically reflect on them in different relevant topics in the field of Molecule Biosciences.
CG4.- Capacity to transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions within the area of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, including the ability to communicate fundamental aspects of your professional activity to other professionals in your area, or related areas, and to a non-specialized public
CG5.- To have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake subsequent studies of specialization with a high degree of autonomy, including the ability to assimilate the different scientific and technological innovations that are taking place in the field of Molecule Biosciences.
Cross-cutting competencies
CT1.- Critical and self-critical reasoning capacity.
CT4.- Learning capacity and self-employment.
CT6.- Ability to recognize and analyze a problem, identifying its essential components, and planning a scientific strategy to solve it.
CT7.- Ability to use basic computer tools for communication, information search, and data processing in your professional activity.
CT8.- Ability to read scientific texts in English.
CT9.- Ability to communicate scientific information in a clear and effective way, including the ability to present a job, in oral and written form, to a professional audience, and to understand the language and proposals of other specialists.
1.12.2. Learning outcomes
- deepen some aspects of information storage and molecular variability and genetics
- explain the conceptual basis of genetic engineering techniques and make known the most immediate applications
- explain how to combine DNA molecules from different sources, amplify them and transfer them from one living being to another
- theoretically address the techniques of obtaining genetically modified or chronic animals and their applications in basic research and biotechnology.
- list the strategies of gene therapy that best results are giving in clinical trials
- argue the applications, production and characterization of transgenic plants
- oral presentations on topics related to the subject
- criticize and ask about the oral exhibitions of their peers
1.12.3. Course objectives
The aim of this subject is to deepen some aspects of the storage of information (item 1) and molecular and genetic variability (item 2) that are generated in the cell as well as the methodology that allows us to genetically modify cells, different animals or plants. Genetic engineering is a set of methodologies that allow us to manipulate DNA. This course aims to explain the conceptual basis of this set of techniques and make known the most immediate applications. We will learn to combine DNA molecules from different backgrounds, amplify them and transfer them from one being to another by breaking the barrier of species as genetically inmiscible units. Genetically modified or chronic animals will be approached and their applications will be studied in basic research and biotechnology. A review will be made of gene therapy strategies that best results are in clinical trials and will eventually address the production and characterization of transgenic plants and their multiple applications.
1.13. Course contents
Item 1. DNA amplification and sequencing methods. Genetic amplification by recombinant DNA techniques. Restrictive enzymes. FokI and ZFN and TALEN chimeras. Proariotic vectors: plasmids and bacteriophages. Artificial bacteria chromosomes. Types of molecular cloning. Expression and identification methods of cloned products. Protein production. Genetic amplification by chain reaction of polymerase (PCR). Backup. Real-time PCR (qPCR). Digital PCR. Applications. Mutagenesis directed by PCR. Sequence of DNA. Sanger sequence. Mass sequence of DNA and RNA. Genomic and transcribic. Applications. Mutation identification.
Item 2 Genetics and epigenetics. Regulation of gene expression. Genetic information, gene, genome, genomics. Organization of the genome. DNA single copy, moderately and highly repeated DNA. Polymorphic sequences. Genetic markers in forensic medicine. Human genome project and Encode project. Genetics and epigenetics in relation to phenotypic variability among individuals of the same species. Modification of DNA, modification of histonas and chromatin remodelers. Function of non-coding RNAs in the regulation of gene expression. Imprinting.
Item 3. Recombination. Recombination between homologous chromosomes. Genetic conversion. Enzymes involved in recombination. Specific site recombination (directed). Fago Lambda. Cre-LoxP. DNA and RNA disorders. Random recombination via DNA, replicative and non-replicative. Transposition control. Somatic recombination. CRISPcas system in bacteria.
Item 4. Mutations. Mutagénesis directed and genome remodeling. PCR nucleotide-level mutations. Mutagénesis by Homologa recombination (Genic dynasons). Genome editing. Genes quimera. German and somatic mutations. Examples: monogenic, complex and cancer diseases.
Item 5. Gene transfer, RNA interferente, genome editing: techniques and applications. Stable and transient transfection. Transduction (infection). Vectors for transfection and transduction. Selection methods. Artificial philosomes. RNA interferente: microRNA, siRNA.
Item 6. Gene therapy, generation of transgenic and chronic models and their applications. Genetic therapy of monogenic diseases, cancer and gene editing. Methods of obtaining GM animals. Transgenic models: knock-out, knock-in, constitutive, tissue-specific, inducible. Cloning: methods. Applications of transgenic and chronic animals in basic research, biotechnology. Therapeutic Cloning. IPS generation.
Item 7. Gene transfer in yeast, insects and plants. Artificial yeast chromosomes. Baculovirus system in insects. CRISPR, plant vectors and their applications.
1.14. Course bibliography
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2. Teaching-and-learning methodologies and student workload
2.1. Contact hours
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#horas
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Contact hours (minimum 33%)
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Independent study time
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2.2. List of training activities
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Activity
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# hours
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Lectures
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Seminars
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Practical sessions
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Clinical sessions
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Computer lab
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Laboratory
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Work placement
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Supervised study
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Tutorials
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Assessment activities
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Other
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3. Evaluation procedures and weight of components in the final grade
3.1. Regular assessment
The learning results related to the competencies listed above will be evaluated as follows:
- The learning results related to the acquisition and assimilation of theoretical contents will be evaluated by a written examination, the result of which will represent 60% of the rating.
- The written review will assess the skills of acquiring new knowledge, assimilating theoretical content, critical capacity and ability to relate different aspects of the subject.
In oral presentations, which constitute classroom practices, competencies related to oral communication skills and skills, discussion capacity and advocacy will be evaluated.
3.1.1. List of evaluation activities
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Evaluatory activity
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%
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Final exam
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Continuous assessment
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3.2. Resit
Extraordinary call. The extraordinary evaluation will consist of a written test in the same format as the final examination. In addition, the qualifications of oral presentations and participation in class of the ordinary call will be maintained, and their contribution to the final note will be the same as in the ordinary call.
3.2.1. List of evaluation activities
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Evaluatory activity
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%
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Final exam
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Continuous assessment
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4. Proposed workplan
CRONOGRAM: a schedule is included based on the proposed topics
Week |
Contents |
Presence hours Contact hours |
Non-permanent hours Independent study time |
1 | Classes and seminars | Item 1 : 4 h Seminars: 2 h | 7 h |
n | Classes and seminars | Item n : 4 h Seminars: 2 h | 7 h |