Microbial genetics and genetic engineering

Course Description

This course has two main goals, (1) to analyze the biological processes that ensure a balance between stability and variability of genetic material, and (2) to discuss the application of the knowledge of microbial genetics and genetic engineering techniques in order to produce strains applicable in biotechnology. Therefore, replication, mutagenesis and DNA repair are discussed at the molecular level with particular emphasis on genetic recombination. The course gives an overview of these processes in the two most important model organisms, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The bacterium E. coli is presented as the most important prokaryotic model organism in scientific research as well as the first organism that has been modified by genetic engineering techniques, and the yeast S. cerevisiae as a model organism in the study of almost all biological processes in eukaryotic cells, but also as one of the most important industrial organisms. The course also gives an overview of the methods used for genetic modification of microorganisms, plants and animals. During seminars students present and discuss scientific papers in field of molecular genetics and genetic engineering.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who successfully complete the subject will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge on the structure and function of DNA, stability, variability and the horizontal transfer of genetic material and genetic engineering methods in order to construct strains having desired properties.

2. Design and create a flow chart of methodology of specific molecular genetic analysis and construction of strain having desired characteristics.

3. Propose, plan out and present a project which aims to solve an existing problem or to answer specific scientific question using methods of genetic engineering.

4. Analyze and evaluate scientific papers on molecular genetics and present it to colleagues, answer questions from the audience and participate in scientific discussions.

Lectures

30 (20 lectures + 10 seminars)

Literature

Ambriović Ristov, A. (2007), Metode u molekularnoj biologiji, Institut Ruđer Bošković

Dale, J. W. and Park S. F. (2004), Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, J. Wiley & Sons

Lewin, B. (2008), Genes IX, Pearson Education

Brenner, S. and J.K. Miller (eds.) (2001), Encyclopedia of Genetics, Academic Press

Principles of gene manipulation and genomics, 7th edition, S.B. Primrose and R.M. Twyman, Blackwell Publishing, 2006.

Gene cloning and DNA analysis, 5th edition, T.A. Brown, Blackwell Publishing, 2006.

Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual, 3rd ed. Vols 1, 2 and 3. J. Sambrook, E.F. Fritsch and T.Maniatis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 2001.

Short protocols in molecular biology, 5th ed. Vols 1 and 2. F.M. Ausubel, R. Brent, R.E. Kingston, D.D. Moore, J.G. Seidman, J.A. Smith and K. Struhl, J. Willey and Sons, 2002.

Originalni znanstveni radovi