LBIK10135 Genome and Cell Biology

Details
Responsible DepartmentDepartment of Agriculture and Ecology

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: Evaluation of poster and article work. Oral presentation of one of several exam topics. Exam topics are given in good time before the exam and the topic to present is determined by lottery at the exam.

Weight: 80% Oral Examination 20% Individual Poster and Article work.



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures and Article work. Poster work: Posters prepared by the students on selected subjects (16 hours).
 
Block PlacementBlock 1
Week Structure: B
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesBachelor course in Cell biology or equivalent
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Content
The following areas are covered: Gene regulation, structure of genomes and their content of information, use of databases and experimental techniques for genome analysis. Gene control. Genome function. Gene and genome techniques. Membrane structure. Membrane transport. Intracellular compartments and the sorting of proteins. Signal transduction. Cell division. Cell cycle control and programmed cell death.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
Lectures. Poster work: Groups of students prepare posters based on original articles in selected areas that are presented at the end of the course. Groups of students prepare a presentation of a recently published larger article published in a high impact scientific journal. The articles have been selected by the teachers. The course is organized in such way that it is highly recommended that the students have the above prescribed background knowledge. Students with little previous knowledge in cell biology and genetics must be prepared to work hard.
 
Learning Outcome
The purpose of this course is to bring students up to an advanced level in cell biology. This is a level that allows an easy start for someone starting on a master's project or PhD project with cell biology content. Therefore the focus is on understanding principles and not on memorizing details since cell biology is an area of biology that evolves rapidly. The textbook, Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts et al., will form the basis for lectures and poster work. In the course basic genetic mechanisms and elements like structure of chromosomes and genomes, DNA replication, transcription, translation and gene regulation will be covered. Furthermore, the course will deal with the internal structure of cells, membrane structures and transport of small molecules over membranes, intracellular compartments, transport between intracellular vesicles, cellular communication and apoptosis.

After completing the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
Describe the genetic and structural elements , genetic mechanisms and cellular communication of living cells
Describe mechanisms involved in gene regulation in cells
Display overview of membrane structures, cellular compartments and transport of molecules between compartments.
Describe cell division, cell cyclus control and programmed cell death.

Skills:
Analyse and evaluate scientific papers, which describe cellular genetic mechanisms and structures as well as their intracellular structure, communication and transport.
Apply knowledge on the molecular biology of cells in the planning of own experiments.
Communicate know how on the structure and molecular mechanisms of living cells.

Competences:
Apply knowledge on the structure and molecular mechanisms of cells to further analyse problems within genome and cell biology.
 
Course Literature
Alberts et al.: Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5.ed.(2008), Garland. Supplemented with selected literature, including original articles, in some areas
 
Course Coordinator
Stefan Olsson, sto@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Section of Genetics and Microbiology, Phone: 353-32646
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures34
project work16
examination2
preparation154

206