Download BIOL 5870 - East Carolina University

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY of the GENE
Biology 5870
FALL 2006
Dr. Alex Georgakilas
Office: N 418; phone: 328-5446; e-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: 11:00--12:30 PM, M-T-TH., or by appointment
Lectures: ROOM 107 HOWELL SCIENCE NORTH; Time: T-TH 9:30 am- 10:45 am
Texts: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE GENE 5th ED. By Watson et al.
Pearson/Benjamon-Cummings.
Molecular Genetics (5870) is a course designed to give emphasis on the molecular mechanisms
of DNA Organization, induction of DNA Damage and Mutagenesis, DNA Repair, Replication,
Transcription, Translation, Recombination, Gene Regulation and protein expression primarily in
eukaryotic organisms. At the same time a brief description will be given on several current
molecular biology techniques for the analysis and characterization of DNA or protein.
Brief description of the chapters:
Divided into five parts, the first (Chemistry and Genetics) begins with an overview of molecular
biology, placing the discipline in historical context and introducing the basic chemical concepts
that underpin our description of molecular biology today. The second and third parts
(Maintenance of the Genome and Expression of the Genome) form the heart of the book,
describing in detail the basic mechanisms of DNA Repair, replication, transcription and
translation. The fourth part of the book (Regulation) deals with how gene expression is regulated
- from the examination of basic mechanisms that regulate gene expression in bacterial and
eukaryotic systems, to a description of how regulation of gene expression lies at the heart of the
process of development. Recent findings from sequencing whole genomes of several animals
have revealed that they all share essentially the same genes. The last chapter in the regulation
section looks at how changes in gene regulation can account for how different animals can be
made up of the same genes. The final part of the book (Methods) deals with the techniques and
methods used in molecular biology.
Exam Procedures & Grading Policy
Grades will be based on four ~one-hour exams including the final which will not be a
comprehensive. All exams count equally towards your final grade. Your lowest exam grade will
be dropped and it will be replaced with your highest exam grade i.e., your highest exam will
count twice. However in order to do this YOU MUST TAKE ALL EXAMS. These exams
represent your only point opportunities and will cover lecture material as well as reading
assignments from the texts.
Exams will follow an essay question/short answer format. Students with excused absences will
take a make-up exam; unexcused absences result in a 0 on the missed exam. Grades are based on
a firm 10 pt. grading scale, i.e., 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 =C; 60-69 =D; < 60 = F. Grade
rounding will be considered only in exceptional cases (59.5=60, 69.5=70, 79.5=80, 89.5=90).
THERE WILL BE NO CURVING OF INDIVIDUAL EXAM SCORES. NO MAKE-UP
EXAMS.
Study Guides & Help Sessions
Study guides, consisting of a vocabulary list, problems, & reading assignments, will be issued to
aid in preparing for exams. It is to your advantage to use these along with the text while
studying. The course lectures will also be listed on Blackboard. I will hold help sessions prior to
each exam. The time and location of sessions will be arranged in class.
Accommodations for Students with Special Needs
East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to the Department
for Disability Services, located in Brewster A-114, to verify the disability before any
accommodations can occur. The telephone number is 252-328-6799.
Academic Integrity
Every student is expected to complete all assignments and activities for this course in accordance
with the Principles of Academic Integrity as outlined in the Student Handbook. Actual or
attempted cheating, plagiarism, or falsification are serious violations of ECU’s honor code and
will be dealt with as specified by the University (see Student Handbook for details).Please do not
place yourself or the instructor in the position of having to deal with these serious issues.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Date
Aug 24
Aug 29
Aug 31
Sep 05
Sep 07
Sep 12
Sep 14
Topic
Text
Introduction
Ch. 1-2
Nucleid Acids as Carriers of Genetic Information
Ch. 1-2
Weak and Strong Bonds Determine the DNA Structure
Ch. 3-5
>>
Ch. 3-5
The Structures of DNA and RNA
Ch. 6
Organization of DNA in Chromosomes
Ch. 7
>>
Ch. 7
Sep 19
FIRST EXAM
Sep 21
Sep 26
Sep 28
Sep 29
Oct 03
Oct 05
Oct 10
The Replication of DNA
>>
DNA Damage, Repair and Mutagenesis
LAST DAY TO DROP CLASSES
>>
Homologous Recombination
>>
Oct 12
SECOND EXAM
Oct 14-17
Fall Break
Ch. 8
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 9
Ch. 10
Ch. 10
Oct 19
Oct 24
Oct 26
Oct 31
Transcription/Translation Mechanisms-Genetic Code
>>
>>
>>
Nov 02
THIRD EXAM
Nov 07
Nov 09
Nov 14
Nov 16
Nov 21
Gene Regulation-Emphasis in Eukaryotes
>>
>>
>>
Techniques in Molecular Biology/Applications
Nov 22-26
Nov 28
Nov 30
Dec 05
Dec 07
Ch. 16-18
Ch. 16-18
Ch. 16-18
Ch. 16-18
Ch. 20
Thanksgiving Break
Techniques in Molecular Biology/Applications
>>
Overview of all chapters
Overview of all chapters
Dec 14 Thursday
FINAL EXAM
I look forward to working with you this semester
Ch. 12-15
Ch. 12-15
Ch. 12-15
Ch. 12-15
Ch. 20
Ch. 20