Identifying Data 2019/20
Subject (*) Molecular Techniques Code 610441002
Study programme
Mestrado Universitario en Bioloxía Molecular , Celular e Xenética
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Official Master's Degree 1st four-month period
 First Obligatory 6
Language
Spanish
Galician
English
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Departamento profesorado máster
Coordinador
Rodriguez Torres, Ana Maria
 E-mail
ana.rodriguez.torres@udc.es
Lecturers
Diaz Varela, Jose
Lamas Maceiras, Mónica
Martinez Martinez, M. Luisa
Pomar Barbeito, Federico
Rego Perez, Jose Ignacio
Rodriguez Torres, Ana Maria
Silvar Pereiro, Cristina
 E-mail
jose.diaz.varela@udc.es
monica.lamas@udc.es
m.l.martinez@udc.es
federico.pomar@udc.es
ana.rodriguez.torres@udc.es
c.silvar@udc.es
Web http://ciencias.udc.es/masters-bcm/master-en-biología-molecular-y-celula
General description

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A1 Skills of using usual techniques and instruments in the cellular, biological and molecular research: that are able to use techniques and instruments as well as understanding potentials of their uses and applications.
A2 Skills of working in a sure way in the laboratories knowing operation handbooks and actions to avoid incidents of risk.
A3 Skills of understanding the functioning of cells through the structural organization, biochemistry, gene expression and genetic variability.
A4 Skills to apply molecular techniques to the study of the plant cell physiology, its response to external triggers and their biotechnological applications.
A5 Skills of understanding the microorganisms' role as pathogenic agents and as biotechnological tools.
A8 Skills of having an integrated view of the previously acquired knowledge about Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics, with an interdisciplinary approach and experimental work.
A9 Skills of understanding the structure and dynamics of proteins to individual and proteomic level, as well as the techniques that are necessary to analyze them and to study their interactions with other biomolecules.
A10 Skills of modifying genes, proteins and chromosomes with biotechnological applications
A12 Skills to understand, detect and analyze the genetic variation, knowing genotoxicity processes and methodologies for its evaluation, as well as carrying out diagnosis and genetic risk studies.
A13 Skills to become a professional in health, pharmacy, veterinary, animal production, biotechnology or food sectors.
B1 Analysis skills to understand biological problems in connection with the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics.
B2 Skills of decision making for the problem solving: that are able to apply theoretical knowledges and practical acquired in the formulation of biological problems and the looking for solutions.
B3 Skills of management of the information: that are able to gather and to understand relevant information and results, obtaining conclusions and to prepare reasoned reports on scientific and biotechnological questions
B4 Organization and work planning skills: that are able to manage the use of the time as well as available resources and to organize the work in the laboratory.
C6 Acquiring skills for healthy lifestyles, and healthy habits and routines.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Handle the necessary equipment for cellular and molecular techniques. AR1
AR2
Know the protocols used for the different techniques. AR1
AR2
Know the applications for the different techniques. AR1
AR4
AR5
AR13
 BR2
 CC6
Consider the ways to resolve the methodological problems associated with the performance of the techniques. BR1
Establish the relationships between the different techniques used and its possible combination to resolve the problems. BR1
Interpret data from observations and measurements in the laboratory. BR3
Plan, design and conduct experiments related with the techniques learned. BR2
BR4
Maintain a critical attitude for a perfect experimental work. CC6
Relate the chemical and structural properties of biomolecules with laboratory techniques that are most suitable for isolation, purification and characterization. AR1
AR9
 BR1
BR2
Know in depth the possibilities and characteristics of PCR and real-time PCR. AR2
 BR3
BR4
Understand and handle the techniques of recombinant DNA that can be used for analysis and manipulation of biomolecules. AR1
AR2
AR8
AR10
 BR2
Use methods and techniques to detect and analyze genetic variation. AR1
AR3
AR12
 BR3

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Purification of Biomolecules Principle of centrifugation technique and instrumentation. Preparative and Analytical Centrifugation.
Chromatographic Techniques: principle and selection criteria.
Electrophoresis: principle and types. Isoelectric focusing technique. Capillary electrophoresis.
PCR Advanced concepts in PCR
Differences between PCR and Real-time PCR
Detection methods of amplicons
Trial design and results analysis
Tecnology of molecular markers Molecular markers: definition and main characterisics
Basic principles, development and genotyping of RFLPs, AFLPs, microsatellites and SNPs
Recombinant DNA Enzymes and protocols used in recombinant DNA techniques
Genomics GeneBank
Expression GeneBank
GeneBank analysis
Transfer and Blotting techniques
Sequencing techniques
Site-direct mutagenesis techniques
Silencing techniques
Transgenic organisms: uses and applications

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Guest lecture / keynote speech A1 A4 A5 A10 A13 14 14 28
Laboratory practice A1 A2 A3 A12 B4 24 48 72
Supervised projects A1 A3 A8 A9 B1 B3 B2 0 42 42
Mixed objective/subjective test A1 A3 A9 A12 B1 B2 C6 2 4 6
 
Personalized attention 2 0 2
 
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students.

Methodologies
Methodologies Description
Guest lecture / keynote speech By the Professors or/and by the exhibition of student work
Laboratory practice Practical classes in the laboratory; Problem solving and practical cases
Supervised projects Research Project related with the techniques performed in the laboratory. It will be developed individually under the Professor’s supervisión.
Mixed objective/subjective test Exam about theoretical and practical subjects.

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Supervised projects
Guest lecture / keynote speech
Laboratory practice
Description
Personalized tutoring focused on guidance to help the students: resolving doubts and clarifications.

The tutoring schedule will be indicated the first class by each Professor. The students may request an appointment and/or resolving doubts by e-mail.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Supervised projects A1 A3 A8 A9 B1 B3 B2 Elaboration and writing of a supervised work. 30
Laboratory practice A1 A2 A3 A12 B4 Along the practical classes, the students will answer questions and problems, which will be part of the continuous evaluation of the course. 20
Mixed objective/subjective test A1 A3 A9 A12 B1 B2 C6 Exam with questions in which the student must apply the knowledge and skills acquired along the course.
 50
 
Assessment comments

.-The evaluation criteria listed will be applied to two types of registration (classroom and blended learning).

.-The attendance to Practical clases is a necessary condition to be evaluated.

.-The qualifications obtained with the Supervised Project and Practical Exercises will be maintained for the 2nd Option (July) if the student do not pass the Final Exam in the 1st Option (January), and in the Final Qualification Records (QRs) will appear the qualification of 4.

.-According to the rule of qualifications and records in Grades and Masters, the Quality Committee of the Faculty of Sciences, agreed to the recommendation to concede the “Honors Qualification” to those students who obtained the highest marks in the 1st Option_June.

.-The students that do not show up in any of the two official examination dates will obtain a NOT
PRESENTED in the Final Grades (ACTAS).

Sources of information
Basic M. L. Marina, A. Ríos, M. Valcárcel (2005). Analysis and detection by capillary electrophoresis . Amsterdam : Elsevier
Westermeier, Reiner. (2005). Electrophoresis in practice : a guide to methods and applications of DNA and protein separations. Weinheim : Wiley-VCH
Weiner MP, Gabriel SB, Stephens JC, (2007). Genetic variation: a laboratory manual. Cold Spring harbor Laboratory Press, New York.
Brown TA (2008). Genomes (3º ed). . Médica Panamericana, Buenos Aires.
Morteza G. Khaledi (1998). High-performance capillary electrophoresis theory, techniques, and applications . New York : John Wiley & Sons,
Nuez F, Carrillo JM, (2000). Los marcadores genéticos en la mejora vegetal.. Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.
Avise CJ (2004). Molecular markers, natural history, and evolution (2ª ed.). . Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.
Keith Wilson and John Walker (1995). Principles and Techniques of Practical Biochemistry. Cambridge, University Press
Dorak, T. (2007). Real-Time PCR. Routledge Taylor and Francis.
Mackay, I. M. (2007). Real-time PCR in microbiology : from diagnosis to characterisation. Norfolk: Caister Academic Press.
Edwards, K., Logan J. & Saunders, N. (2004). Real-time PCR: an essential guide.. Horizon bioscience.
Logan J, Edawards K, Saunders N. (2009). Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and applications.. Caister Academic Press

Complementary
In addition, it will be provide research articles on the topics covered during the course in the Moodle virtual platform.

Recommendations
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before

Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously

Subjects that continue the syllabus

Other comments


(*)The teaching guide is the document in which the URV publishes the information about all its courses. It is a public document and cannot be modified. Only in exceptional cases can it be revised by the competent agent or duly revised so that it is in line with current legislation.