Download Syllabus FOR THE COURSE in Human BIOLOGY Nucleic acids

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY - PLOVDIV
DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL BIOLOGY
15 A V. Aprilov Blvd
Plovdiv – 4002
Bulgaria
tel. +359 32 602 993; 602 531
email: [email protected]
SYLLABUS FOR THE COURSE IN HUMAN BIOLOGY
1. Nucleic acids. DNA – localization and structure. The double helix model. Chargaff’s rules. DNA
conformations.
2. Nucleic acids. Linear and circular DNA. DNA functions. Mitochondrial DNA – characteristics,
functions.
3. Nucleic acids. RNA – structure and types, functions. Differences between RNA and DNA.
4. Replication of DNA. Necessary elements and mechanism. Replication of linear DNA molecules.
Fidelity of replication.
5. Replication of circular DNA molecules. Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic
replication.
6. Transcription. Necessary elements, stages and mechanism. Reverse transcription.
7. Transcription in prokaryotes and in eukaryotes – comparison. Processing of mRNA.
8. Translation. Necessary elements, stages and mechanism. Posttranslational modifications
9. Transfer of genetic information. The Central dogma. The genetic code – characteristics. Effect of
mutations on the genetic code. Control of gene expression.
10. DNA recombinant biotechnology. Clinical applications.
11. Molecular diagnostics – DNA analysis: Southern blot, PCR, DNA sequencing, DNA
electrophoresis.
12. Gene therapy – vectors, principles and ethical considerations. Therapeutic strategies and clinical
application.
13. Mutations – characteristics and types. Mutagenic factors. Gene rearrangements and point
mutations.
14. Genetic engineering – hybridization, artificial insemination, pre- and post-zytogic selection, in
vitro fertilization.
15. Genetic engineering – cellular hybridization, fusion of embryos (hymeras), transplantation of
somatic cell nuclei into eggs, animal cloning.
16. Molecular engineering. Recombinant DNA technologies, vector systems, transfer of foreign
genes into somatic cells.
17. Submicroscopic structure of chromosomes. Chromatin – levels of organization. Euchromatin and
heterochromatin
18. Microscopic structure of chromosomes. Types of chromosomes. Cytogenetic analysis.
19. Chromosome classification. The normal human karyotype and its evolution.
20. Epigenetic control of gene expression. X-chromosome inactivation. Genomic imprinting.
21. Numerical chromosomal mutations – aneuploidy and polyploidy.
22. Structural chromosomal mutations – deletions, duplications, inversions, translocations.
23. Prenatal diagnostics – diagnostic techniques, genetic counselling.
24. The eukaryotic cell cycle.Mitosis. Stages of mitosis. Cell cycle regulation – cyclins and Cdk’s.
25. Apoptosis. Characteristics. Genetic control, mechanisms, detection.
26. Biology and genetics of cancer. Tumor-suppressor genes and oncogenes.
27. Meiosis – mechanism and stages. Differences between mitosis and meiosis.
28. Gametogenesis. Spermatogenesis. Oogenesis.
29. Fertilization. Stages of human embryonic development.
30. Developmental mechanisms – determination, differentiation, embryonic germ layers.
31. Innate and adaptive immunity. Characteristics of the immune response. Innate immunity –
mechanisms.
32. Adaptive immunity. Clonal selection theory. Fate of the antigen.
33. The immune system. Central and peripheral lymphoid organs.
34. Antigens – characteristics, classes. Haptens.
35. Human alloantigens. Blood group antigens ABO(H), Se and Rhesus.
36. Cells and molecules of the immune system. B cells and T cells – characteristics and functions.
37. APC, NK – characteristics and functions.
38. Intercellular communication in the immune response. Activation of T and B cells. Cytokines.
39. Kinetics of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity. Primary and secondary
immune response. Immunological memory.
40. The Complement system – characteristics and functions.
41. Antibodies – structure and function. Types and characteristics.
42. Genetic control of antibody synthesis. Immunoglobulin gene structure. Somatic recombination.
43. Allelic exclusion. Antibody class switching. Generation of antibody diversity.
44. MHC – complex. Genes and antigens – structure and function. MHC restriction.
45. Transplantation immunology. Laws of transplantation. Immune response in graft rejection. Graft
versus host reaction.
46. Tumor immunology. Types of tumor antigens. Tumor escape mechanisms. Immune response to
tumors.
47. AIDS. HIV characteristics. Mechanisms of HIV infection. Diagnostics, therapy and vaccination.
48. Hypersensitivity reactions – general characteristics. Types of hypersensitivity reactions.
49. Immunological tolerance. Control of the immune response to foreign antigens. Role of APC, B
and T cells.
50. Antigen-antibody reactions. Agglutination, precipitation, immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis,
Western
blotting,
ELISA,
immunofluorescence,
flowcytometry,
immunohistochemistry - principles and application.
51. Population genetics – major terms and principles. The Hardy-Weinberg equation and its
application.
52. Parasites and parasitism. Parasite-host interactions. Origin of parasitism.
53. Subkingdom Protozoa. Visceral Protozoa. E. histolytica, E. coli, E. gingivalis.
54. Subkingdom Protozoa. Visceral Protozoa – flagellates. T. vaginalis, T. hominis, T. tenax, G.
lamblia.
55. Subkingdom Protozoa. Hemoflaggelates. T. gambiense, T. rhodesiense. T. cruzi; L. donovani, L.
tropica
56. Subkingdom Protozoa. Class Sporozoea. Genus Plasmodium – general characteristics.
Schizogony and sporogony. Human Malaria – pathogenesis, clinical course and methods for
diagnostics.
57. Subkingdom Protozoa. Class Sporozoea. T. gondii.
58. Phylum Platyhelminthes. Class Cestoda. D. latum, T. solium, T. saginata, E. granulosus, H.
nana.
59. Phylum Platyhelminthes. Class. Trematoda. O. felineus, F. hepatica, S. haematobium, S.
japonicum, S. mansoni.
60. Phylum Nemathelminthes. Class Nematoda. T. spiralis, A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale, E.
vermicularis, T. trichiurus, W. bancrofti, D. medinensis.
61. Phylum Arthropoda. Class Arachnoidea. Order Araneida (spiders). Order Scorpiones. Order
Acarina – general characteristics. S. scabiei.
62. Phylum Arthropoda. Class Insecta. Order Anoplura. Sucking lice – P. capitis, P. vestimenti, Pht.
pubis. Order Aphaniptera (fleas) – P. irritans. Order Heteroptera – C. lectularius Reduviid bugs
– genus Triatoma. Order Diptera – flies and mosquitoes.
Recommended literature:
1. Paniker's Textbook of Medical Parasitology by C.K. Jayaram Paniker. 2013; 7th edition.
2. Bios instant notes. Molecular Biology by A. McLennan, A. Bates, P. Turner, M. White. 2013; 4th edition;
Garland Science, Taylor&Francis Group.
3. Bios instant notes. Immunology by P. Lydyard, A. Whelan, M. Fanger. 2003; 3th edition; Garland Science,
Taylor&Francis Group.
4. Human biology by Starr C. and McMillan B. 2014; 10 th edition; Yolanda Cossio.