Biology and Genetics

Biologia e Genética

Course code:9219101

Maria Alexandra Taquenho Maia e Silva

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit:

Acquisition of fundamental concepts regarding the functioning of living things, studying in detail the system live simpler which is the cell and their interactions with the environment, enables students to deepen the knowledge gained, i.e. the ability to explain molecular level the functioning of living things and understand different regulatory mechanisms are indispensable for the proper functioning of living beings. The acquired knowledge in molecular biology has implications for medical practice, particularly in understanding of different diseases which will be discussed and analyzed.

Syllabus:

• CLASSICAL and MOLECULAR GENETICS
  Genes and DNA molecules.
  Chromatin and chromosomes.
  Mendelian analysis and its developments.
  Concepts of diploidia, dominant and recessive.
  Genetic mutations and chromosomal alterations.
  Chromosome diseases.
• MECHANISMS OF GENETIC EXPRESSION
  Transcription, post-transcriptional modifications and translation.
  Molecular mechanisms of gene expression regulation.
  Genetic evolution and continuity.
  Epigenetics. Relationship genes and environment, genes-behavior relationship, epigenetic marks and development. The Case of the True Twins.

Suggested Bibliography:

• Lodish H, Berk A, Kaiser CA, Krieger M, Bretscher A, Ploegh H, Amon A & Martin KC (2016) Molecular Cell Biology, 8th ed., W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN-13: 978-1464183393
• Cooper GM & Hausman RE (2013) The Cell, a Molecular Approach, 6th ed., Sinauer Associates, Inc., USA. ISBN: 978-1-60535-155-1
• Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Morgan D & Raff M (2014) Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th ed., Garland Publishing, Inc., London. ISBN-13: 978-0815344322
• Alberts B, Roberts K, Lewis J, Hopkin K, Jonhson 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 C (2012) Biologia celular e molecular, 5th ed. Lisboa: Lidel Edições. ISBN 978-972-757-692-0