Applied Molecular Genetics

Code: BIO15246I

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Biological Sciences

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

2. Erradicar a fome - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

4. Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

12. Produção e consumo sustentáveis - Assegurar padrões de produção e de consumo sustentáveis.

13. Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

14. Proteger a vida marinha - Conservação e uso sustentável dos oceanos, dos mares, e dos recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

15. Proteger a vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

Teach knowledge in the field of Classical Genetics (Mendelian), Population Genetics, Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics with emphasis on Genetic Engineering. Train students in the use of Mendelian Genetics, Population Genetics and Molecular Genetics, in the sense of permanent improvement of domestic animals. These issues focus on the general principles that apply to normal, healthy animals. The exception to these principles is often the basis for some genetic diseases.

The cell and the cell cycle.
Macromolecules
Mendelian genetics: Mendels laws and their exceptions.
Chromosome structure and function. Linkage.
Pedigree analysis. Mating strategies. Inbreeding, Linebreeding and Crossbreeding.
Applications of Genetics and Genomics in the improvement of livestock and companion animal species.
Nucleic acid structure and function. DNA damage and repair. Transcription and Translation.
Gene transfer in bacteria.
Control of gene expression.
Molecular Markers and their use in Veterinary Medicine.
Technologies applied to DNA. Recombinant DNA, and DNA sequencing.
Molecular techniques.

Teaching Methods

Lectures will be centered in oral exposure supported by audio-visual media, with constant stimulation of students participation. The practical and laboratory classes will consist on solving exercises and the introduction of state-of-the-art papers discussed with the class. The laboratory classes will include the main molecular techniques (DNA extraction, agarose gels, PCR, etc).

Assessment

Continuous Assessment: two written tests (relative weight of 50% each in the calculation of the final grade).

Final assessment: written exam.

The contents of lectures and practical and laboratory classes will be assessed at all assessment moments.

Note: If there are indications of non-compliance with the assessment rules, fraud, or doubts regarding the authorship of the answers during the assessment, teachers may ask the student to provide individual explanations about their performance. If the student fails to attend the meeting, refuses to provide explanations, or is unable to adequately justify their performance, the grade may be considered invalid.