Celular and Molecular Biology I

Biologia Celular e Molecular I

Curse code:9548104

Isabel Maria Correa Calvente de Barahona

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

The aim of this curricular unit is the acquisition of fundamental concepts regarding the functioning of living systems, studying in detail the simplest living system, the cell and their interactions with the environment.
Students knowledge acquired previously will be developed, i.e. students should be able to explain at the molecular level the functioning of the cell and to understand different regulatory mechanisms which are indispensable for the proper functioning of living beings.
The knowledge gained in molecular biology has implications in medical practice, in particular in understanding different diseases that will be discussed and analysed.

Syllabus:

1. PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION AND CELL FUNCTION
   Concept of cell and cell theory.
   Living and non-living matter.
   Notion of viruses.
   Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
   Molecules and macromolecules.
   Biological membranes.
   Organelles.
   General functions of the cells.
   Interaction between the cells and the environment.
2. METHODOLOGY OF CELL STUDY
   Different types of microscopes.
   Main techniques of analysis of macromolecules.
3. MOLECULAR GENETIC
   Genes and DNA molecules.
   Main techniques of analysis of macromolecules.
   Molecular mechanisms of genetic expression: Transcription, post-translation modifications and translation. Molecular mechanisms of regulation of gene expression.
   Synthesis mechanism of DNA: Replication and DNA repair.
4. CELLULAR SIGNALING
   Signalling at the level of the cell plasma membrane: Signalling molecules and receptors. Importance of G proteins in signal transduction.
   Study of different signalling pathways that control the activity of genes associated with different receptors.

Suggested Bibliography:

• Lodish, Berk, Kaiser, Krieger, Bretscher, Ploegh, Amon and Scott (2016) Molecular Cell Biology. 8th ed, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN-13: 978-1464183393.
• Cooper, G.M. and Hausman, R.E. (2013) The Cell, a Molecular Approach. 6th ed, Sinauer Associates, Inc., USA. ISBN: 978-1-60535-155-1.
• Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M (2014) Molecular Biology of the Cell. 6th ed., Garland Publishing, Inc., London. ISBN-13: 978-0815344322.
• Alberts K, Roberts K, Lewis J, Hopkin K, Johnson A, Walter P, Raff M, Bray D (2003) Essential cell biology: an introduction to the molecular biology of the cell. 2nd ed., Garland Publishing, Inc., New York & London. ISBN-13: 9780815334804.
• Azevedo C, Sunkel CE (2012) Biologia Celular e Molecular, 5ª ed., Lidel, edições técnicas, Lisboa. ISBN 978-972-757-692-0.