Applied Molecular Biology: Basic concepts

Modules
3 ECTS Credits
English

About the course

General information

This module has 2 main study areas: conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing including the basic concepts of cloning and analysis of sequence data. It is offered in a blended format: web-based (distance learning) training and 1 week practical bench training at the University of Pretoria.

Learning objectives

Understand the following basic concepts related to molecular biology: the structures of DNA and RNA, amino acid chain formation, primary, secondary and tertiary structures of proteins, the general principles of PCR and RT-PCR, DNA sequencing by dideoxy chain termination, automated DNA sequencing (cycle sequencing), gene cloning.
Explain and compare the genome organization of pro- and eukaryotes, central dogma of molecular biology including the process of replication, transcription and translation, in vivo protein synthesis and the genetic code.
Identify differences between conventional and real-time PCR.
Design a primer in order to amplify a specific gene region.
Perform DNA extraction in a laboratory setting and set up a RT-PCR.
Set up and execute a gene cloning experiment and a DNA sequencing reaction in a laboratory setting.
List applications of DNA sequencing in veterinary science.
Understand basic software programs and use them to analyse and interpret sequencing results.