Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Molecular and Cell Biology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
BUMK_072
Branch of Science
Biological sciences; Environmental biotechnology; Medical biotechnology; Molecular Biology
ECTS
4.00
Target Audience
Biology; Medicine
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Contacts

Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, bmk@rsu.lv, +371 67061584

About Study Course

Objective

To provide students with the knowledge of molecular processes in the cell, as well as understanding of the role of human genome variation in aetiology of human pathology. To develop students’ skills in learning molecular biology laboratory methods, to help to understand the use of the acquired theoretical knowledge in medicine.

Preliminary Knowledge

Basic knowledge of biology and chemistry (in accordance with the standard for secondary education adopted by National Centre for Education).

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Upon completion of the study course, students will be able to explain the central dogma of molecular biology and its role in providing functions of eukaryotes and prokaryote cells. They will be familiar with the operational principles of the information realisation system, its regulation and functional role in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Able to describe the main molecular mechanisms for ensuring normal cell functions as well as to justify the consequences of cellular disorders.

Skills

1.On completion of the study course, students will be able to use a light microscope, to plan and carry out experiments to monitor cell functions. Students will have acquired skills in molecular biology techniques – nucleic acid isolation and polymerase chain reaction, and they will be able to interpret the results obtained. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, students will be able to collect the most relevant information and correctly apply the concepts of molecular biology.

Competences

1.Students will be able to combine theoretical knowledge and skills and integrate them into learning of other preclinical and clinical courses. Students will be able to attribute cellular disorders to the pathology of the body as a whole. They will understand the role of structural and functional disorders of the genome in the aetiology of diseases.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Individual work
-
-
Individual work with the lecture and practical classes materials, recommended literature, according to the topic of lectures and practical classes. Analysis of scientific publications to acquire deeper understanding of the study course topics (if necessary). Upon completion the study course, fill in the study course evaluation questionnaire.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.
Examination
-
-
Upon completion of the course “Molecular and Cell Biology”, students are obligated to take a final exam. • The examination consists of multiple choice questions, short-answer questions, yes/no answers, matching answers, short open type questions. • Students are eligible to receive an cumulative grade, thus, are exempt from taking the final exam, if they meet the following requirements: - The student has taken all colloquia at their planned time for each group and passed successfully passed both colloquia, the average grade of each colloquium is at least 4.00 (if the colloquium is re-taken, the average grade is not mathematically rounded). • The final cumulative grade is calculated taking into account grades received for colloquia (70%), practical classes protocols (25%) and online practical classes tests (5%). • If exam has to be taken, the final grade is exam grade.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Semester 1
  1. Introduction to molecular biology. The central dogma of molecular biology. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Storage of information in the cell. Nucleic acids, their chemical composition, structure and functions. DNA replication.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Nucleus and mitochondria, their structure and functions. Chromosomes, chromatin structure and types.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic genome – gene structure, organisation and functions. Genetic code.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Transfer of genetic information in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell – transcription, translation. Processing of proteins. Structure and functions of proteins.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Human genome variation. Genetic variants and mutational process, its impact on human pathology.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Molecular mechanisms of gene expression – epigenetic and epigenomic regulation.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Cytoskeleton, its structure and functions. Cell division of eukaryotic cell – mitosis and meiosis. Cell division in prokaryotes. Recombination of genetic material.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. The cell cycle, regulation mechanisms. DNA reparation mechanisms. Molecular mechanisms of cell aging and cell death.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Molecular mechanisms of gametogenesis and fertilisation, impact on development of human pathology.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Molecular mechanisms of cell functions. Intracellular transport. Transmembrane transport of small molecules, ions and macromolecules. Endomembrane system, its structure and functions.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Molecular mechanisms of cell functions – cell communication. Intracellular and extracellular signal transductions. Extracellular matrix, its structure and functions.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Molecular biology in vitro methods in medicine.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Lecture
Off site
E-Studies platform
2
  1. Practical class No. 1. The nucleus and DNA of eukaryotes. DNA replication.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No. 2. DNA replication in vitro - polymerase chain reaction.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
2
  1. Practical class No. 3. Human metaphase chromosomes in microscope slides. Karyotype.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No. 4. Tasks of molecular biology.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No. 5. Epigenetics vs. epigenomics. Tasks in epigenetics.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Colloquium I. Testing knowledge of topics covered during lectures No. 1 – 6, and practical classes No. 1 – 5.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
2
  1. Practical class No. 6. Identification of stages in karyokinesis (microscopy slides).

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No.7. Analysis of stages in gametogenesis, mature sex cells (microscopy slides).

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No. 8. Transport of solutes in the eukaryotic cell.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
2
  1. Practical class No. 9. Cells signalling systems. Analysis of different signalling pathways.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Laboratory
2
  1. Practical class No. 10. Molecular biology in vitro methods in medicine – case studies.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Other
2
  1. Colloquium II. Testing knowledge of topics covered during lectures No. 7 – 12 and practical classes No. 6 -10.

EventType
Modality
Location
Contact hours
1.
Class/Seminar
On site
Computer room
2
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.00
Contact hours:
48 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Krūmiņa A., Baumanis V. Eikariotu šūnu bioloģija. Rīga, RSU, 2015. (latviešu plūsmas studijām /for studies in Latvian)

2.

Pollard T. D., Earnshaw W. C. – Cell Biology. 4th ed., Saunders, Elsevier, 2023

Additional Reading

1.

Cooper G.M., Hausman R.E.- The cell. A Molecular approach. 8th ed., Oxford University press, 2019

2.

Iwasas J. and Marshall W. - Karp`s Cell Biology, John Wiley & Sons; 8th Edition, Global edition, 2018.

3.

Bruce A., et al.- Molecular biology of the cell 6th edition or later. New York, NY: Garland Science, Taylor and Francis Group, 2015.

4.

Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 9th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2021.

Other Information Sources

1.

Internet. NCBI (DNA &RNA, Genetics&Medicine, Genes &Expression, Genomes&Maps).

;