Identifying Data 2023/24
Subject (*) Genetic Variation Mechanisms Code 610441005
Study programme
Máster Universitario en Bioloxía Molecular, Celular e Xenética
Descriptors Cycle Period Year Type Credits
Official Master's Degree 1st four-month period
 First Obligatory 3
Language
Spanish
Teaching method Face-to-face
Prerequisites
Department Bioloxía
Coordinador
Gonzalez Tizon, Ana Maria
 E-mail
ana.gonzalez.tizon@udc.es
Lecturers
Gonzalez Tizon, Ana Maria
Vila Sanjurjo, Antón
 E-mail
ana.gonzalez.tizon@udc.es
anton.vila@udc.es
Web http://cie48.udc.es
General description Pretende profundizar en el conocimiento de los diversos mecanismos que generan la variación genética, tanto en el aspecto de sus bases moleculares como en el de su impacto sobre los genomas.

Study programme competencies
Code Study programme competences
A3 Skills of understanding the functioning of cells through the structural organization, biochemistry, gene expression and genetic variability.
A6 Skills of understanding the functioning of cells through the structural organization, biochemistry, gene expression and genetic variability.
A11 Skills of understanding the structure, dynamics and evolution of genomes and to apply tools necessary to his study.
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.
C2 Ability to know and use appropriately the technical terminology of the field of knowledge of the master, in the native language and in English, as a language of international diffusion in this field
C3 Using ICT in working contexts and lifelong learning.

Learning aims
Learning outcomes Study programme competences
Comprehensive reading of scientific texts related to the subjects of the module Ability to expose the current state of knowledge within this field Critical ability to assess hypotheses and interpret results Understanding of cell structure and functioning from an interdisciplinary perspective in which Cell Biology, Classical Cytology, Genetics and Molecular Biology converge Understanding of the biochemical and physiological processes that allow signaling between cells and with structural elements, as well as the aspects that cause pathologies related to alterations in cell signaling and the tools used for its study Know the experimental techniques to access the study of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of the gene expression as well as the molecular machinery involved and its regulation systems Know the characteristics of proteins and complexes involved in the regulation of gene expression, their interaction with genetic material and the enzymatic reactions that modulate their activity Know the mechanisms that cause genetic variability AR3
AR6
AR11
AR12
AR13
 BR1
BR2
 CC2
CC3

Contents
Topic Sub-topic
Topic 1. Nature of mutations.
 Estimates of mutation rate and frequency.
Types of lesions caused by mutations. Physical and chemical mutagens.
Reversion and deletion.
Paramutation.
Topic 2. DNA repair mechanisms. Preventive methods.
Direct repair.
Excision repair.
Post-replication repair.
Topic 3. Genetic diseases related to mutagenic agents. Cancer.
Diseases due to failures in repair systems.
Topic 4. Mobile DNA: abundance in genomes.
Classifications of transposable elements. Proliferation.
Modular evolution. Impact on genomes. Domestication.
Topic 5. Recombination processes. Recombination rates.
Gene conversion.
Sexual dimorphism of the rate of recombination, crossing over and gene conversion.
Biased gene conversion.
Topic 6. Evolution of scientific thinking about the origin of genetic variability. The contribution of Woese. Introduction: Cell evolution: the "bumpy" path to "who knows where" History of evolutionary thought: Lamarck
History of evolutionary thought: Darwin
History of evolutionary thought: Modern Synthesis of Evolutionary Biology
State of Microbiology (and Virology) for most of the 20th century
Carl Woese
LUCA
Generation of genetic variability in the beginning of life
Unit 7. Microbial evolution in the era of genomics Introduction
The turbulent dynamics of microbial evolution
HGT
Damned concepts of classical genetics: genetic elements with Lamarckian flavor?
Damned concepts of classical genetics: Evolution of evolution?
Unit 8. The mysterious world of viruses Introduction
figures and definitions
Are the viruses alive?
Early ideas about the evolution of viruses
Structural biology allows a deep look into the past
The origin of viral replicons
When did viruses originate?
Gene flow between viruses and hosts
New discoveries about the evolution of viruses
Viral population dynamics models
conclusions

Planning
Methodologies / tests Competencies Ordinary class hours Student’s personal work hours Total hours
Guest lecture / keynote speech A3 A6 A11 A12 A13 B1 B2 C2 C3 12 24 36
Workbook A6 A11 A12 A13 B1 B2 C2 C3 0 14 14
Long answer / essay questions C2 C3 2 8 10
Multiple-choice questions C2 C3 8 0 8
ICT practicals A3 B1 B2 C2 C3 6 0 6
 
Personalized attention 1 0 1
 
(*)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 In each class, content will be presented on different aspects of the agenda
Workbook Students will read scientific documents to deepen the content worked on the subject.
Long answer / essay questions
Multiple-choice questions
ICT practicals Work with computer tools for the analysis of genetic variation

Personalized attention
Methodologies
Workbook
Description
Los estudiantes podrán acudir a las tutorías de los profesores en aquellos horarios previamente establecidos.

Assessment
Methodologies Competencies Description Qualification
Guest lecture / keynote speech A3 A6 A11 A12 A13 B1 B2 C2 C3 Se valorará, mediante una prueba objetiva, los conocimientos adquiridos 60
ICT practicals A3 B1 B2 C2 C3 Se valorará asistencia y ejecución de los ejercicios mediante la elaboración de un cuaderno de prácticas (en inglés) 25
Workbook A6 A11 A12 A13 B1 B2 C2 C3 Se realizará un journal club con presentación en power point mediante la lectura de varios artículos de investigación. 15
 
Assessment comments

Sources of information
Basic

La materia se prepara exclusivamente con artículos científicos
Complementary


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

Attendance at lectures makes it possible to deal with any doubts or questions that may arise in the course of the explanations, facilitating the understanding of the subjects. Study should include regular reading of at least the recommended bibliography. Group study and work favours understanding and develops a critical spirit. The doubts and difficulties that arise in any aspect of the subject will be resolved as soon as possible, raising them in the classroom or attending individual tutorials. Given that part of the recommended bibliography for this subject is in English, it is recommended to have a good command of this language, at least at the level of comprehension of written texts.

Gender Perspective

In this subject, the gender perspective will be taken into account, sexist attitudes will not be tolerated and the values of respect and equality will be promoted.


Program Green Campus Empower of Sciences

To help to achieve some sustainable immediate surroundings and fulfil with the point 6 of the Environmental Statement of the faculty of Sciences (2020), the documentary works that realise in this matter:

a. They will request mostly in virtual format and computer support

b. To realise in paper:

-they will not employ plastic

-will realise impressions to double expensive

-will employ paper recycled

-will avoid the realisation of drafts

To Environmental Statement is available in:

https://ciencias.udc.es/images/Facultade/Green_Campus/Regulamento_Comit%C3%A9_Green_Campus_FCiencias.pdf


(*)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.